Chapter 9: Invasive Plants and the Restoration of the Urban Forest Ecosystem1
Welcome to Chapter 9 of the publication Restoring the Urban Forest Ecosystem. This publication consists of 10 chapters available only in PDF format. The chapters explain basic ecological principles for the urban forest's water, soil, plant and animal communities. They discuss problems common in the urban forest such as aquatic eutrophication, soil aeration, invasive plants and loss of biodiversity. Solutions, strategies, examples, and additional resources are presented to help make urban forest restoration projects successful.
Abstract
Many ornamental species spread from gardens to natural areas where we do not welcome them. These plants out of place, or weeds, threaten the integrity of our natural systems. As gardeners we demand access to thousands of exotic species, unaware of side effects some have on natural systems. The tale of public expectation of gardening choice and variety began centuries ago. Early colonists worried mostly about food security, but from 1700 to the early 1900s Americans witnessed extensive plant exploration and introductions. Technological advances facilitated the change, as did growing public interest in gardening and growing prosperity found in nursery trade. Early colonists introduced invaders such as Scotch broom and common privet. Later explorers brought in other ornamentals-turned-invaders including China-berry and Norway maple. Welcoming non-native species into our landscapes for centuries has created a multi-billion dollar ornamental plant industry and a gardening public that takes this largesse for granted, selecting primarily on basis of color, shape, and size. Today's public is unaware of the origins of most ornamental plants and of the danger some species pose to natural areas.
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Footnotes
This document is part of Circular 1266, and Fact Sheet FOR 98, part of a series. School of Forestry Resources and Conservation, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published August 2001.
Hallie Dozier, Forest Ecologist, 13213 Briar Hollow, Baton Rouge, LA 70810.
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For more information on obtaining other extension publications,
contact your county Cooperative Extension service.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service,
University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative
Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy,
Interim Dean.
