An assessment of invasive plant species monitored in the Northern Research Station Region, 2005 through 2010

Background/Question/Methods

Invasive plant species are a worldwide concern due to the high ecological and economic costs associated with their presence. These species can displace native fauna and flora and alter ecosystem processes. Despite their negative impacts, these invaders are frequently used for erosion control and site reclamation due to their ability to rapidly colonize an area. These plants also have various herbal and medicinal values. This document describes the plant characteristics and regional distribution of the 50 invasive plant species monitored on forested Phase 2 Forest Inventory and Analysis plots in the 24 states of the Northern Research Station from 2005 through 2010. Genus level data for non-native bush honeysuckles (Lonicera species) are included from 2005 through 2006. The data are from plots that are monitored in forested areas across all ownership classes (public and private).

Results/Conclusions

The overall analysis of invasive plant species in the northern U.S. was done by using choropleth maps to show the presence and distribution of each of the species monitored by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program. The mapped data address an issue of global concern and provide an understanding of species observed on forested FIA plots. Showing the regional distributions of invasive plant species will help educate individuals of the potential risks of those selected invasive species.