Invasive Species Removal

Lesser celandine

The invasion of native habitat by exotic plants is one of the most important environmental challenges we face today. In particular, as exotic plant species spread into native habitat, they displace native plant species, leading to drastic reductions in plant diversity.

As the number of native plant species goes down, so too does the diversity of the wildlife that depend on them. This is why the management of invasive species has become such an important—and costly—land management obligation.

Management Practices

Managing the spread of invasive species is multi-faceted, and most species require a combination of different management strategies. Depending on the species, land stewards may use chemical herbicides and/or mechanical means to combat their spread. Some species, like garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), are easily pulled by hand and typically don’t require the use of herbicides. Other species, like lesser celandine (Ficaria verna), are not as easily managed without the careful use of herbicides.

And, for managing the spread of invasives into our grassland and prairies, we implement prescribed burns to not only knock back the invasives but also stimulate the growth of native species.

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Jerry Drury

Invasives at Home

For many homeowners, outbreaks of invasive plants in lawns or garden beds are often at a smaller scale than what we typically see at the Nature Center, so even tough-to-treat plants like lesser celandine can be successfully managed by smothering them with clear plastic sheeting, a process called solarization. Some gardeners prefer pouring boiling water on invasive plants, while others use blow torches to kill localized outbreaks.

Regardless of the methods used to manage invasive plants, the key is consistency and diligence. Some invasive species like Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) may require regular management over several years before they are eradicated.