A Natural Areas Inventory of the - Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory ...

APPENDIX F. Exotic and Invasive Plant Species of Concern.
Invasive (exotic) plants are species that prosper and spread without human assistance after being
moved from their native habitat to a new location. They are becoming one of the greatest threats
to natural ecosystems worldwide. Problems associated with invasive plants have increased
dramatically with expanding human population, world travel, and international trade. Exotic
plants are of particular concern since many natural controls formally regulating their populations
are absent in the new non-native environment. They are often able to out-compete native
vegetation resulting in reduced biodiversity, habitat modification, and impacts on many
ecological processes.
The existence and distribution of exotic species of concern on FLMR have been established by
several studies (Freeman et al.1997, this report). The decision to pursue active control of a given
species will depend upon the degree to which native species are displaced and vegetation
management decisions may need to be made on a species-specific basis. The impact any exotic
species has on the natural system must be weighed against the impacts of controlling it. The
effects of any type of control on non-target plants and animals must be considered. Resource
restrictions will likely limit complete eradication of aggressive species and minimizing the
impact of exotics on native populations may be a more realistic goal in some situations.
Established guidelines for pest control at Army installations must be consulted when planning
control measures.
Proper identification of exotic and native plants is critical to preserving native biodiversity at
FLMR. Resource personnel in charge of invasive species control must be certain of their target
species, and must exercise care not to damage native plants when implementing treatment.
Poorly implemented control measures on exotic species have the potential to be extremely
damaging to native biodiversity. Conversely, soundly implemented measures to control exotic
species can help maintain and enhance native biodiversity. A strong monitoring program that
tracks the location and abundance of species of concern is a fundamental component of a sound
program of exotic species control.
We have identified 27 exotic plant species of concern at FLMR (Table F.1). These plants
represent real or potential threats to biodiversity. We provide general information on the biology,
history, and management of each species, followed by information on the species location at
FLMR, and site-specific considerations and recommendations. Life form information, which
may be useful when evaluating these species of concern, appears in Table F.2.
We make only general recommendations for woody exotics. These species are thought not to
threaten the biodiversity in native communities at FLMR currently, and no control measures are
recommended at this time. However, the distribution and abundance of these species should be
monitored to detect any increase in invasive tendencies. They should not be used for landscaping
in the future, and consideration should be given to removal of existing individuals that may be
contributing to spread into native communities. Future efforts, if any, to control these species in
natural communities should be carefully chosen so as not to adversely affect native species.
Although no one species is a particular threat at this time, it is important to note
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