Invasive Plants
What is an invasive?
Here are a two definitions provided by the Ohio Invasive Plant Council:
...species that is non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration... whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. Invasive species can be plants, animals, and other organisms (e.g., microbes). Human actions are the primary means of invasive species introductions. - National Invasive Species Council
...usually characterized by fast growth rates, high fruit production, rapid vegetative spread and efficient seed dispersal and germination. Since these plants are not native to Ohio, they lack the natural predators and diseases which would naturally control them in their native habitats. - Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
Weeds can be persistent and aggressive, but that does not necessarily mean they are invasive plants. Again, from the Ohio Invasive Plant Council:
Weed--"A plant (native or non-native) that is not valued in the place where it is growing. Any plant that poses a major threat to agriculture and/or natural ecosystems within the United States." - USDA, NRCS (Connecticut)
Noxious Weed--"A plant that is particularly troublesome. Any plant or plant product that can directly or indirectly injure or cause damage to crops (including nursery stock or plant products), livestock, poultry or other interests of agriculture, irrigation, navigation, the natural resources of the United States, the public health, or the environment." - USDA, NRCS (Connecticut)
INVASIVE PLANTS DEFINITIONS, Ohio Invasive Plant Council, https://www.oipc.info/invasive-plants-definitions.html, accessed 3.11.2021
Ohio Invasive Plant Council 2021 Annual Meeting Presentations
Mark Warman, Cleveland Metroparks Hydrilla at Mosquito Creek Reservoir
LaeRae Sprow, Metroparks Toledo Developing an Invasive Management Strategy
Emma Crockett and Holly Latterman, The Dawes Arboretum Experimentation on Best Practices for Dense Woody Invasive Removal and Habitat Conversion
Chris Roshon, Preservation Parks Delaware County Early and Often: Persistence Pays Off with Callery Pear
Shelby Ashcraft, Five Rivers Metropark Effective Use and Follow Up with Forestry Mulching
Dr. Bethany Bradley, University of Massachusetts Breaking Down Barriers to Proactive & Consistent Risk Assessments of Invasive Plants
Registration (free) is required to view the recording. Please follow this link. The password is: #OIPC2021
Invasive Plant Descriptions and Identification
Ohio Invasive Plants Council (OIPC) Excellent resource!!
The Ohio Invasive Plants Council is a coalition of agencies, organizations, and individuals throughout Ohio concerned about the introduction, spread, and control of invasive, non-native plants in Ohio's natural habitats.
Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN)
Species Information Sheets (plants)
Species Training Excellent resource!!
The invasive species education modules will help you become more comfortable with identifying these species in the field. Each module includes a short ten question quiz at the end to help you assess your newly acquired knowledge. Completing a module should only take about 15 minutes.MISIN smartphone app
Identify and report 400+ invasive plant and animal species, capture and submit species observations from the field, include images taken in the field with your observation, and browse images and species information on the top Midwest invaders.
Invasive plant identification videos from Morton Arboretum
EDDMapS
EDDMapS is a web-based mapping system for documenting invasive species and pest distribution. Launched in 2005 by the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia
National Invasive Species Information Center
From US Department of Agriculture
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States
The purpose of the Atlas is to assist users with identification, early detection, prevention, and management of invasive plants. Four main components are species information, images, distribution maps, and early detection reporting procedures.
A Guide to [Asian Bush] Honeysuckles (PDF)
Helps identify the different species of invasive honeysuckles. Developed by Minnesota Department of Transportation
Fighting Invasive Plants
Fighting Invasive Plants in Ohio (PDF)
From Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, ODNR
Fighting Ohio's Invasive Species: 'Everyone Can Be Part of the Battle'
From Ohio State University Extension
Alternatives for Invasive Plants from OIPC (PDF)
PlayCleanGo
Fighting invasive species as we engage the outdoors recreationally
Hungry Pests: Protect Our Plants
From Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA
North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA )
NAISMA is a network of professionals who implement management programs to prevent the detrimental impacts of invasive species to North America’s lands and waters
Additional Organizations
Banner Image: Callery Pear and honeysuckle on State Route 315.
Image from blog by Nathan Johnson, Director of Public Lands, Ohio Environmental Council, https://theoec.org/blog/callery-pear-pyrus-calleryana, accessed 3.11.2021