Invasive Species

Native species are plants and animals that occur in an area without human intervention. In the United States, they are those plants and animals that naturally occurred here prior to European settlement.

Non-native plants are those species that have been introduced to an area by people from another place such as other continents, states, ecosystems, or habitats. Many non-native plants are not a threat to our natural ecosystems and have great economic value. However, some can reproduce rapidly and spread over large areas.

Plants that grow and spread quickly when introduced to a new environment and often displace other plants or animals are called invasive plants. These species are introduced either accidentally or intentionally. Either way, they can have a devastating effect on the ecosystem. Invasive plants usually have the following characteristics that make them grow out of control: spread aggressively by runners or rhizomes, produce large numbers of seeds that survive to germinate, and disperse seeds far away from parent plant by wind, water, wildlife, or humans. Even if the species was not originally invasive in its former habitat, it may lack natural controls like herbivores and disease that keep them in check in their new location.

Invasive species are expensive and difficult to remove because of how fast they can multiply and spread. The United States spends approximately $34.7 billion each year in control efforts and agricultural losses. We must try to eliminate them. They impact nature in many ways. By replacing native plants, they reduce food and shelter for native wildlife, eliminating host plants of native insects and compete for native plant pollinators. They can create monocultures, stands of one single plant species. This greatly reduces the natural biological diversity of an area. 

There are hundreds of invasive species in Pennsylvania and even more in the United States. Many people might not even realize that a species in their own back yard is invasive. When selecting plants for your backyard, avoid invasive plants and exotic species that have invasive qualities. Ask your nursery for native plant alternatives. Consider removing invasive plants and replacing them with native plants on your property. When visiting a natural area with many invasives, check for any “hitchhiking” seeds on your clothing and shoes. Brush them off before leaving.

Landis Woods is not immune to invasive plants. Garlic Mustard, Mile-a-Minute, English Ivy, and Multiflora Rose are just a few examples. If you would like to volunteer to help combat the issue, call the Manheim Township Recreation and Park Planning Office at 717-290-7180.

This is one of 11 (eleven) informational signs at Landis Woods Park.