Say the words “invasive species” in relation to water quality, and most folks immediately think of zebra mussels, Asian carp, and hydrilla. Yet, terrestrial invasives such as wintercreeper, bush honeysuckle, and Tree of Heaven can also threaten our area rivers, streams, and lakes just as much as their aquatic counterparts.
An invasives species is one not native to the Ozarks, whose introduction will likely cause economic or environmental damage, or harm human, animal, and plant health. Generally, invasives easily adapt to environmental conditions, out-compete native species, and create a monoculture with no biological diversity.
Wintercreeper, a fast-growing evergreen vine, is one of the most common terrestrial invasive species in the James River basin includes wintercreeper. Originally introduced to the United States as an ornamental ground cover in the 20th century, it soon escaped cultivation and began to wipe out native plants. While climbing a tree, wintercreeper steals nutrients away from its hosts in a parasitic role.
“It takes a community effort to stop the spread of wintercreeper,” said Caleb Sanders, Director of the Watershed Conservation Corps (WCC). “Environmental groups and local government can’t do it alone.”
Wintercreeper is dispersed by birds and other wildlife through consumed seeds. Stormwater can also serve as a vector for seed dispersal. Reducing the seed load would have a dramatic impact on land downstream.
Invasive species are the ecological equivalent of an impervious parking lot, in terms of stormwater runoff. Macroinvertebrates, the bottom-dwellers who can tell us a lot about water quality, are less diverse in areas infested with invasives. Leaf defoliation leads to disrupted food chains of macroinvertebrates and other animals, as well as fish habitat.
The WCC is involved in several invasive species removal projects, including a conservation easement along Wilson’s Creek at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park. The project is part of the James River Basin Partnership’s Wilson’s Creek Implementation Project to remove wintercreeper and bush honeysuckle.
WCC is also partnering with the City of Springfield Department of Environmental Services to remove wintercreeper and bush honeysuckle along the Jordan Creek greenway trail between Grand and Mount Vernon Streets.
“For a municipality, it’s an important step to avoid spreading invasives to your neighbors downstream,” stated Sanders. “Figuring out how to fund projects to deal with invasive species removal in riparian zones is critical.”
WCC has also assisted the City’s Water Quality Grounds Management Crew with invasive species removal along the South Creek Restoration Project on Sunset Street. A common goal for native landscapes is to have less than 5% invasive or undesirable species. The results of efforts on South Creek are paying off with the area estimated to currently have 10% or less of these species and a well-established diversity of native plants.
Another invasive plant, Tree of Heaven, is being removed at the Buffalo National River in Arkansas by WCC members. The National Park Service did not want to be seen as a source of infestation for its neighbors downstream.
“Tree of Heaven is found throughout the Ozarks, including Springfield and Greene County,” noted Sanders. It can wipe out stands of native White Oaks, which are a keystone species for Ozarks hardwood forests, benefitting everything from wildlife to recreation.
Within Springfield, invasives are a big problem. You would be hard-pressed to walk down 100 yards any local stream and not find at least one invasive species. Some riparian areas are far worse than others.
“We are just at the beginning of the damage as far as what these species are doing,” warned Sanders. “In 30 years, we are going to see the impact of monocultures, where invasives have simply snuffed out native trees, shrubs, and grasses.”
Riparian zones are one area where we can make a difference. A riparian area composed of invasives will provide some level of protection for streambanks, but wildlife and water quality will suffer as a result.
“Studies out of Ohio and Indiana show little regeneration of natives with a massive invasive infestation within riparian zones,” said Sanders. "We are heading down that road.”
Homeowners should be aware of the plants growing on their property, as well as the ones you purchase. Is this something that could function in a natural landscape in Southwest Missouri? If not, just be certain that the plants will not impact your neighbor or the community at large.
There is no way to remove all invasive species, but we can certainly do all we can to reduce the spread downstream, as well as being good stewards of water quality in the Ozarks. It all starts in our yard.
Fall is an ideal time to add invasive species identification and removal to your yard care routine. To learn more about how to identify and respond to invasive infestations on your property, please visit the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Invasive Plants web page.
“We’re going to have to deal with it. The science is there,” said Sanders. “The studies show that this is bad for our environment and public health. It’s some of the most impactful work we can do right now, in terms of protecting our riparian areas.”
We’ll see you on the river,
Todd
Fighting Invasive Species: Wintercreeper is harming native plant life in the Ozarks (ky3.com)
