Invasive Species Common to Missouri
Why are invasive species a problem?
Invasive species gain access to non-native habitats through a variety of means, from airplane travel to intentional introduction by humans. These species have no natural predators in their non-native habitats, allowing them to spread rapidly and overwhelm the new area. Their introduction disrupts entire ecosystems, where native plants and animals are forced to compete with these aggressive newcomers, often with little success.
Common Types of Invasive plants found in Missouri
Autumn Olive
Native Range: Eastern Asia
Initial Intention: To help with erosion control and providing wildlife habitat.
Problems: Out-competes native species by sprouting earlier in the spring, and shading out all native species growth. Birds and other pollinators are attracted to Autumn Olive and will easily spread its seeds, which only helps the plant invade new areas at a fast rate.
Honeysuckle
Native Range: Eastern Asia
Initial Intention: To help with erosion control, wildlife cover, and landscaping.
Problems: Out-competes native species’ access to sunlight and also competes for soil moisture and nutrients, depriving native species of these necessities. Pollinators are often attracted to honeysuckle plants, which stifles the growth and spread of native species. Unlike native plants, the honeysuckle fruits do not provide adequate nutrients to the birds and animals who eat them.
Callery Pear
Native Range: China and Vietnam
Initial Intention: Planted along streets for aesthetic landscaping.
Problems: Grew thorns and became brittle. Trees form dense thickets, and produce large amounts of seeds that spread rapidly due to birds and small mammals. They cut off native species’ access to sunlight, stopping their growth. Reduces biodiversity.
How do we get rid of Invasive Species?
Many invasive species require dedicated and diligent removal efforts to halt the spread. Communities hold special volunteer events where entire teams of people come together to clear defined areas of the foreign plants.
These teams dig up the invasive species, and apply a variety of herbicides in hopes that the invasive species don’t return. The aggressive nature of these plants sets up a vigorous battleground where the invading plants seek to gain a foothold, and the community fights to remove them from the area.
Additional options for removal include scheduled visits by herds of goats, who enjoy a meal and clear designated areas efficiently.
It’s best to remove invasive plants in early spring and late fall because it’s easiest to locate and identify them. During these time periods, these invaders are green while the native species are not.
“There is no solution available, I assure you, to save Earth's biodiversity other than the preservation of natural environments in reserves large enough to maintain wild populations sustainably. Only Nature can serve as the planetary ark.”
― Edward O. Wilson, American Biologist and Sociobiologist