Invasive Species in the Barnegat Bay Region - Georgian Court ...

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5/1/2013 

Invasive Species in the Barnegat 

Bay Region: The Players, The 

Problems, and the Plan 

Louise Wootton, Ph.D. 

Georgian Court University, 

Lakewood, NJ 

Definition: Invasive Species 

• A species considered 

to be alien or nonnative 

to an 

ecosystem, which can 

cause environmental 

harm or harm to 

human health 

http://www.grida.no/geo2000/pacha/images/alien.jpg 

http://www.eppo.org/PUBLICATIONS/EPPONews/images/alien.gif 

Characteristics of invasive species 

• Rapid growth and maturity 

• Prolific reproduction (often 

able to reproduce asexually) 

• Highly successful dispersal, 

and colonization 

• Ability to outcompete native 

species 

– Often unpalatable to native 

predators / grazers 

• 10,000+ non-native 

introductions 

New Jersey Facts 

• 1,000 established non-native 

plants (about 30% of NJ’s 

flora) 

• More than 90 non-native land 

animals, of which 20 or more 

are considered invasive 

• Invasive species cost NJ 

agriculture about $290 million 

/ year (33% of total 

agricultural cash receipts) 

Economic impacts 

• About 65% of invasive plants in 

wild lands were originally 

introduced as garden plants 

• In the United States, estimated 

cost of controlling invasive 

species is $138 billion per year 

• Invasive species now occupy 

more than 100 million acres 

with 3 million additional acres 

being affected every year 

Ecological Effects of Invasive Species 

• Outcompete native and 

endangered species 

• Less survival of native 

species 

• Lower diversity of native 

species 

• Reduce hunting and fishing 

potential 

• Habitat aesthetics 

diminished 

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5/1/2013 

Methods of Spread 

• Intentional introduction 

– Stabilize roadsides 

• Multiflora rose 

– Ornamental 

• Purple loosestrife 


• Accidental Introduction 

– Carried into area in packing material, on planes or 

other vehicles 


• Planes, trains and automobiles… and hikers too! 

• Garden escapees 


– University of Washington study: 

Planted 19 wildflower seed mix 

packets. All contained from 3 - 13 

species identified as invasive in 

some part of North America 


• Ornamental Rocks and Fill 

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5/1/2013 

What are the Main Problem 

Species in this Area 

• Emailed Monmouth and Ocean 

County Park officials 

• Asked for a list of “most hated” 

invasives 

• 4 detailed responses 

– Ken Thoman, Monmouth County Park 

Superintendent 

– Kevin Holcomb, Wildlife Biologist 

Forsythe National Park 

– Cynthia L. Coritz, Bass River State Forest 

– Robert Auermuller Wharton State Park 

Superintendent 

http://york.extension.psu.edu/NResources/Images/Ber%20th%20infst.jpg 

http://www.newfs.org/protect/invasive-plants/photo-gallery/Berberis%20thunbergii,%20Leslie%20J.%20Mehrhoff.jpg/image_preview 

Garden Escapees 

Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) 

• Decorative shrub valued for its 

attractive foliage and colorful 

berries 

• Each plant makes many seeds 

which are transported by birds 

to surrounding habitats. 

• Overgrows native shrubs and 

changes soil pH to make it less 

hospitable to native species 


Chinese and Japanaese Wisterias 

(Wisteria sinensis, W. floribunda) 

• Hard woody vines twine tightly around 

host tree trunks and branches girdling 

and killing them 

• Vines can form dense thickets that 

smother and shade out native 

vegetation by numerous above-ground 

stems that develop roots and shoots 

The scope of the barberry invasion in this park is particularly 

easy to see in early spring 

• Negatively impacts wildlife dependent 

on native vegetation for forage, nesting, 

and cover 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3237/2939721819_ae496c1c2a.jpg 


Yellow (Asian) Honeysuckles 

Lonicera spp. 

• Heady fragrance of these 

ornamental vines makes 

them a common choice for 

gardens 

• Birds spread seeds into 

surrounding wild areas 

where vines overgrow and 

choke native vegetation 

Wisteria killing a pine 

http://nyis.info/plants/Honeysuckle.aspx 

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5/1/2013 


Non-native Bamboos 

(Bambusa, Phyllostachys, 

Psuedosassa) 

• Evergreen and hardy to -25 F, 

these bamboos produce culms 

each season that grow to more 

than 30' in just weeks 

• Clumping bamboos not AS 

bad. Running = very bad! 

Honeysuckle overgrowing native trillium 

http://shltrip.com/sitebuilder/images/4s_bamboo_forest_in_Rutgers_G 

arden_IMG_9680-982x744.jpg 


Asian (or Oriental) Bittersweet 

(Celastrus orbiculata) 

• Gardeners like it for its fast 

growth and attractive fruit 

• Aggressive invader. 

• Seeds are spread by birds to 

surrounding wild areas where it 

overgrows other plants 

smothering them and girdling 

tree trunks. 

Purple loosestrife (Lythrum 

salicaria) 

• Showy flowers make it 

gardeners’ favorite 

• Mature plant produces 2-3 

million seeds per year. 


• When reach wetland habitats 

grow rapidly, outcompeting 

native grasses, sedges and 

reducing habitat for waterfowl 

Periwinke (Vinca minor) 

• Forms dense carpet that 

excludes other species 


• Grows most vigorously in 

moist soil with only partial sun, 

but it can grow in deepest 

shade, even in poor soil 

http://pics.davesgarden.com/pics/Equilibrium_1124078074_450.jpg 

http://www.hiltonpond.org/images/VincaMinorSpring01.jpg 

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5/1/2013 

English Ivy (Hedera helix) 

• As it climbs it engulfs and 

kills tree branches by 

blocking light from 

reaching tree’s leaves 

• Extra weight can make 

trees more likely to lean 

and fall 


Invasive Weeds 

Mile-a-minute weed 

(Polygonum perfoliatum) 

• Distinctive triangular blue green 

leaves, and curved spines on 

reddish green stems. 

• Seeds transported by birds and 

mammals 

• Vine overgrows and outcompetes 

native vegetation 

• Can bring down branches or 

whole trees with its weight 

http://www.massnrc.org/pests/pestFAQsheets/popup_code/mileaminutefig01.htm 

http://www.ec.gc.ca/eee-ias/4612AC81-3CB4-4AC4-BCE5-3D5845DEFF1B/Phragmites%20australis.JPG 


Common Reed (Phragmites 

australis) 

• Forms dense stands up to 15’ tall 

• Bushy flowers ripen from brown to 

grey and gain a fluffy appearance 

from hairs on seeds 

• Once in marsh, or disturbed 

habitat, rapidly forms monoculture, 

crowding out native plants, 

changing hydrology, altering 

wildlife habitat and increasing fire 

potential 


Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) 

• Leaves and stems emit distinctive 

garlic odor when crushed 

• Slender white taproot with 

distinctive “S” shape at top. 

• Seeds are dispersed on fur of 

mammals. 

• It spreads rapidly in woodland 

habitats, displacing native 

wildflowers 

• Primary spread is via human 

transport (hiking, mowing). 

http://www.phragmites.crad.ulaval.ca/Images/ACCUEIL.jpg 

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alliaria_petiolata.png 


Japanese Stilt Grass 

(Microstegium vimineum) 

• Recognized by its lime-green 

color and shiny, slightly offcenter 

midrib 

• Forms dense monocultures that 

out-compete nearly all other 

plant life on forest floor, even in 

undisturbed habitats 


Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum 

cuspidatum) 

• Distinctive hollow red-tinged 

stems, heart shaped leaves and, 

in summer, lacy strands of tiny, 

white flowers 

• An aggressive invader, it is 

particularly problematic along 

rivers and stream banks where it 

forms dense stands and 

outcompetes native vegetation 

http://images.nbii.gov/ESellers/D_med-res/bansPicture%20044.jpg 

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5/1/2013 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/plant_diversity/3768272782/ 


Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea 

maculosa) 

• Distinctive black tips on flower 

bracts give species its name. 

• Produces huge number of seeds 

and is spreading rapidly in NJ and 

beyond. 

• Grows in variety of habitats 

where it outcompetes native 

species 

• Also harms soil and water by 

increasing erosion, surface 

runoff, and stream 

sedimentation 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/Cirsium_arvense_0.10_R.jpg 

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Canada_thistle_cirsium_arvense_144a.JPG 


Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense) 

• 1 – 4 feet tall with spiny, lobed 

leaves and many small, purplish 

flower heads 

• Highly invasive, it outcompetes 

native plants in open habitats such 

as barrens, sand dunes and 

meadows 

Asiatic Sand Sedge 

• Lower stature 

• Much denser growth pattern 

• Outcompetes native plants 

• Not eaten by native animals 

• Forms lower, wider dunes 

Invasive Aquatics 

Eurasian water-milfoil (Myriophyllum 

spicatum) 

• Grows mostly in lakes and ponds 

• Starts growing earlier in spring than 

native aquatic plants, 

• Quickly forms dense canopy that 

outcompetes surrounding vegetation 

• Lower food value to waterfowl than 

native plants 

• Supports fewer invertebrates so affects 

fish too 

• Water quality and dissolved oxygen 

declines due to decay of thick vegetation 

Curly-leaf pondweed 

(Potamogeton crispus) 

Invasive Aquatics 

• Usually first macrophyte to 

emerge in spring, but dies back 

by July 

• Capable of rapid growth and 

spread 

• Can displace native species, 

reduce biodiversity, impede 

recreational activities and 

decrease water quality 

Invasive Animals of the Barnegat 

Region 

Green crab 

Asian shore crab 

Mute Swan 

Harlequin Ladybug 

Beetle 

Starling 

Japanese Beetle 

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5/1/2013 

INVASIVE 

SPECIES 

Prevention is the 

best way to reduce 

threats from invasive 

species, because 

once they arrive it is 

almost impossible to 

slow their spread. 

Status and Trends in State Invasive Species Policy: 2002-2009 (free download available from 

http://www.elistore.org) 

NJ Invasive Species Legislation 

• The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has lists of 

prohibited and restricted seeds 

http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/pi/prog/noxious.html 

e.g. PROHIBITED WEED SEED 

The following seeds are not allowed in agricultural, flower, tree, shrub or lawn 

and turf seed: 

– Bindweed - Convolvulus arvensis 

– Hedge bindweed - Convolvulus sepium 

– Quackgrass - Agropyron repens 

– Canada thistle - Cirsium arvense 

– Horse nettle - Solanum carolinense 

– Purple loosestrife--Lythrum salicaria L. (added in 2013) 

• NJ also has a recommended “Do not plant” list: 

http://www.njisst.org/files/DoNotPlantList.pdf 

New Jersey Lags Many Other States in 

Invasive Species Legislation 

Status and Trends in State Invasive Species Policy: 2002-2009 (free download available from 

http://www.elistore.org) 

Municipal Ordinances 

• Invasive Species Ordinances in NJ. Wall, Brick, Lacey and Toms River 

– All persons must control the growth of invasive plants. Failure to control the 

spread of such vegetation beyond the boundaries of a resident's property is a 

violation of this chapter. 

– All places and premises in the Township [] shall be subject to inspection by the 

enforcing officer. Such inspections shall be performed by such person, persons 

or agency duly authorized and appointed by the Township []. Such inspection 

shall be made if that official has reason to believe that any section of this 

chapter is being violated. 

– Whenever an invasive plant as defined by this chapter is found on any plot of 

land, lot or any other premises or place, a violation shall be given to the owner, 

in writing, to remove or abate the same within such time as shall be specified 

therein (recommend time in years, due to difficulty of removing bamboo). 

– Examples include but are not limited to bamboo (spreading or running type), 

ragweed, multi flora rose, kudzu-vine and poison ivy or oak. 

Municipal Ordinances 

• Survey by the State League of Municipalities of a 

representative sample of towns in New Jersey 

showed ¼ of municipalities to have something about 

invasive plant species in their town codes (30 / 120 

towns surveyed) 

• E.g. Margate’s Land Use Ordinance: 

– 6. Plantings of bamboo are not permitted, as they become 

harmful to foundations, other plants, and potentially water 

and sewer pipes. 

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5/1/2013 

What Else Can You Do to Help 

Volunteer Opportunities to Combat Invasive Plants 

• Contact the Central New Jersey Invasive Species 

Strike team and ask about volunteer opportunities in 

your area: http://www.fohvos.org/CJISST.html 

• Insert keyword “invasive” at Volunteer New Jersey’s 

website to find more opportunities in your area 

https://volunteer.united-eway.org/volunteernewjersey/volunteer/state/ 

Where to Buy Native Plants 

Pinelands Nursery 

323 Island Road 

Columbus, New Jersey 08022 

Tel: (609) 291-9486,(800) 667-2729 

Fax: (609) 298-8939 

Opens for retail business in spring and fall 

http://www.pinelandsnursery.com/ 

Russell Gardens (Wholesale) 

PO Box 702 

Richboro, PA 18954 

215 322-4799 

http://russellwholesale.com/zencart 

Cicconi Farms 

1005 Farm Road 

Jackson, NJ 08527 

732 363-1420 

http://www.cicconifarms.com/ 

Toadshade Wildflower Farm 

53 Everittstown Road 

Frenchtown, NJ 08825 

908 996-7500 

http://www.toadshade.com/ 

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Invasive Species in the Barnegat Bay Region - Georgian Court ...

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