5 Spooky Facts About Invasive Plants

If you’re reading this, you’re probably familiar with the value of native plants. Natives support pollinators and wildlife, stabilize soil, and provide the building blocks for healthy ecosystems, among other benefits.

You also might be aware that invasive plants are one of the biggest threats to native species.

That’s pretty spooky. And it’s not the only problem caused by invasive plants.

Invasive bush honeysuckle dressed up as itself for Halloween

The Problems with Invasive Plants

Invasive plants are plants that exist in an area where they didn’t naturally evolve and that harm that region’s ecology, human health, and/or economy.

A common example in our region is bush honeysuckle. The plant is native to Asia, but now it fills forest understories across Ohio, Kentucky, and other regions of the United States.

This is a big problem. These five spooky facts about invasive plants help explain why.

They crowd out native plants.

Invasive plants tend to spread quickly and can overwhelm an ecosystem. As invasives take up sunlight, water, nutrients, and space, this spells destruction for native plants.

Because invasives haven’t been part of our landscapes over the long term, native species haven’t had time to adapt to their presence. Native plants struggle to compete with invasives and are often crowded out entirely. When this happens, our ecosystems lose the benefits that natives would normally provide.

They reduce biodiversity.

Invasive plants don’t only reduce plant diversity. They harm the entire food web and fail to provide adequate nutrients for birds, bees, other pollinators, wildlife, and aquatic life.

In fact, data from the U.S. Forest Service suggests invasive plants have contributed to the decline of a staggering 42% of endangered and threatened species in the United States. 

Invasive bush honeysuckle crowds out native plants, harms waterways, takes up usable space, and creates a messy, uninviting feel.

They degrade water quality.

Many invasive plants (such as ivy, stiltgrass, or clematis) have minimal root structures, so they don’t hold soil in place during rain and flooding events. Areas that are covered in invasives often experience more runoff of sediment and harmful pollutants, which end up in our waterways.

Erosion isn’t the only factor affecting water quality. Research from Northern Kentucky University found that when bush honeysuckle leaves decompose in water, they can harm water quality and aquatic life.

They harm livelihoods.

Invasive plants interfere with a wide range of jobs and industries, resulting in major losses for individuals and communities. Just one example: Invasives can take over farmlands and cattle pastures, with estimated costs totaling tens of billions of dollars per year.

They disrupt outdoor recreation.

When invasives take over woodlands and degrade waterways, this has trickle-down effects for hikers, boaters, birdwatchers, anglers, hunters, and other outdoor recreationists.

Scenic areas lose their beauty. Birds and game species lose their habitat. Invasive aquatic plants grow dense mats that reduce oxygen in the water, killing fish and preventing boats’ passage.

All told, the loss of biodiversity means outdoor enthusiasts are less likely to encounter intact ecosystems and the species (plants, birds, fish, wildlife) that would normally thrive there.

Here’s a less spooky fact: We all have the power to help combat the spread of invasive species and promote the growth of native plants.

One of the easiest ways to help is to remove invasive species, like bush honeysuckle, from your property. If you need help, check out our new honeysuckle removal packages.

Another way to make a difference is to plant more native plants. If you’re reading this, you’re probably moving toward a native landscape. We’re grateful for your efforts, and we’re here to support you in rebuilding healthy ecosystems.