invasive plants, are those that, by fortuitous or premeditated action of the human being, are introduced into an environment. Being able to generate irreversible changes and/or damage to local species. In which the ecological impact decreases biodiversity and transforms the ecosystem. Discover them here.
Invasive plants
Invasive plants, includes all those species of plants or Flora, which, in a circumstantial, casual or preconceived way, are established or inserted by the human being. Which is carried out, in an environment totally foreign to the natural one to which it belongs. Where these species are classified as exotic or non-native.
Given that at the time they are introduced into this new unknown environment, many of them do not evolve. But, on the contrary, there may be others that do so in an accelerated manner, also generating extreme changes. where they become invasive plants, causing native species to suffer and even disappear. Due to the loss of its habitat or development space.
On the other hand, when there is the existence in an ecosystem of a new species of exotic or non-native plant, which adapts to the environment. Where it has also been established and does not provide damage, it receives the qualification of cultural or naturalized species. Because it is apart from adapting to the new climate and environment, it remains without posing any threat to its surroundings in which the same usual care is given to it as to the others in its habitat.
Where many of these cultural species are simply integrated as ornamentals in a new place. However, when the new species of exotic plant becomes harmful, causing changes that are difficult to control, it is classified as invasive. Being the same a complete instability for the ecosystem, causing among many others, even the loss of native or autochthonous biodiversity.
Characteristics of invasive plants
The species of invasive plants They present the following basic characteristics for the environment, which are:
- Their ability and facility to adapt to the new environment in which they establish themselves is accelerated and impressive.
- They do not need predators or any impediment that prevents them from developing in the new space or ecosystem in which they do so.
- They have a very high and alarming capacity for evolution, development and growth.
- The multiplication provided by the seeds, have the virtue of having a fairly long life cycle. Given that they can be inactive, which is what is called "vegetative state", for an unforeseen time. To then activate, germinate, develop, evolve and take control, when the ideal or adequate conditions exist for them.
- Some emanate substances that prevent other plants around them from developing, evolving or growing.
Consequences of the establishment of invasive plants
exotic species of invasive plants, present the following main consequences for the ecosystem. With which it is capable of generating the most serious ecological impacts, which are:
- It causes instability and loss of biological diversity.
- They can cause deterioration of people's health.
- They have the benefit or ease of reproducing or multiplying at the speed that they themselves establish, according to the environment. In which its growth can encompass completely unforeseen and uncontrolled areas.
- Their tendency is to completely dominate and transform the existing ecosystem.
- It generates partial or definitive loss of local or native species, due to the fact that they cause their extinction.
- They induce the transfer of native species, which causes the reduction of existing biodiversity.
- They are capable of altering or modifying the chemical composition of the substrate. This facilitates or favors the establishment of pest species or many diseases that end up attacking and exterminating native plants.
What facilitates the development of invasive plants?
The development of invasive plants, is carried out mainly, at the moment in which man for whatever or indistinct reasons, establish them in a new ecosystem. Where the objective can be varied, being the main one, the ornamental one. This is because there are few fortuitous situations in which invasive plants establish themselves in a new place of reproduction. In which, if this is the case, the seeds can reach the new ecosystem by means of:
- Animals or insects that can carry them attached to their legs or body.
- The human being, who can accidentally carry them in his clothing without knowing it.
- Poor control, deposit or discharge of waste belonging to plant pruning.
- Through agricultural machinery or any other means of transport, among others.
So the human being is generally the one who deliberately introduces them to the new environment, where apart from having an ornamental or gardening purpose, they can have the following:
- Agricultural
- Commercial
- Rancher
- To stabilize the ground or other
Being the most common of all, that of gardening, which to beautify a space or implement a new green area with various changes, invasive plants come to establish themselves. In which these new exotic gardens end up altering the ecosystem, destabilizing biodiversity. Because the new invasive plants take over the land, generating changes and uncontrollable impacts.
Places where invasive plants establish themselves
Usually, the invasive plants They establish themselves in places, environments or habitats, which perhaps without knowing it, are part of the ideal site for their development, reproduction or multiplication. Where, on the other hand, there are also areas that are deliberately known to be the perfect place to establish them. Either because they are devoid of flora and the soil has a good nutrient content or any other factor. Among the most prominent are the following:
- Areas that present absence of vegetation or that are disturbed by the non-existence of it.
- Areas where soil stability is needed and these fast-reproducing plants are established. Which can be, for example, slopes of little stability and fluvial areas.
- Places of high traffic of people, are the ideal place where the seeds are established, because they are transported by them. Caused by excessive transit or mobilization, which induces the soreness of the unexpected seeds.
- Areas in which native plants have little tendency or inclination to develop and have control of the place that belongs to them. Leaving unprotected areas where opportunistic invasive plants find the ideal place to reproduce.
- Areas in which man fully knows that it is possible to alter or modify the ecosystem.
Impacts of invasive plants on the environment
The establishment of invasive plants in any ecosystem generates or provokes various Types of environmental impact, among which the following stand out:
Organic products
The ecological impact is that which occurs at the moment in which the establishment of invasive plants begins to modify the ecosystem. Bearing in mind that this modification applies both to performance, activity, constitution and organization, in which the environment unfolds. Which begins with the transfer of native species, which can become extinct. Resulting in local biodiversity diminishing or disappearing.
On the other hand, the native species would enter into a dispute or rivalry, in which participating in pollination is a fortuitous event on the part of the insects. Because these invasive plants are highly efficient at attracting them, thus not pollinating the local ones. Resulting in reduced reproduction.
Another disproportionate ecological impact is the accompanying capacity to disturb and transform the chemical composition of the substrate. This facilitates the introduction of diseases and pests that previously did not exist in the ecosystem. Generating the high propensity for disappearance of local plants. Ending then by completely dominating the ground and its surroundings.
Substrate compaction
The impact on the compaction of the substrate is generated when the roots of the invasive plants, make it difficult for the roots of native plants to evolve and develop in a loose and convenient way. Causing a reaction in the subsoil layers, which in turn cause the level of compaction to deteriorate.
This being one of the reasons why, where invasive plants exist, the substrate tends to be more prone or predisposed to erosion. Which becomes visible, when there are prolonged rains or even the smallest flood.
Biodiversity
The impact on biodiversity, product of invasive plants, occurs when they reach dimensions in which native plants are threatened. Not allowing their evolution, development and growth. Bearing, in addition, that they reach the point of being displaced and even eliminated from the ecosystem.
Fauna
The impact on the fauna, generated by the invasive plants, refers to that, in which the various animals can no longer feed and maintain themselves in the new ecosystem. Because the invasive plants generated notorious and significant changes, where the native plants with which they fed were displaced.
Resulting in fauna also being displaced or disappearing from the ecosystem. On the other hand, along with the invasive plants, the characteristic animals that accompany them arrive and these can also be potential predators that extinguish the local fauna.
Landscaping
The landscape impact occurs at the instant that damage or modifications are induced in the landscape. Which are the product or response of the alteration that is generated in the ecosystem. Where these are caused by the presence of invasive plants.
This occurs with the modification, disturbance and/or alteration of the constitution or conformation of each of the components that make up the landscape and, therefore, the environment in which the ecosystem develops. Where this in turn generates a series of impacts on the media, elements or visual factors, typical of the landscape.
Bringing with it the decay of the level of importance, class and distinction that it deserves, both to the natural environment, and to the visual field in which it is immersed and surrounds it.
Economic
The economic impact, which refers to the establishment of invasive plants, is that which occurs when, for example, they are integrated into crop areas. That by being present and taking control of the area, through the substrate, they generate uncontrollable losses, product of the displacement of existing plants. Which, in this case, are the crops.
In addition, additional outlays must be made in the search to eliminate unwanted harmful plants that, occasionally, arise due to a small neglect of the ecosystem, where the trend is towards the reduction or disappearance of biodiversity.
Sanitary slippers
Among the negative incidences, produced by the invasive plants, to the sanitary category, are the following:
- Proliferation of conditions in the allergic or respiratory field in people, as well as in animals. This causes an increase in common diseases, which are typical of an area or ecosystem.
- Possible intoxications, up to considerable poisonings, generated accidentally, with the establishment of the same.
How to remove invasive plants
Among the ways to eliminate invasive plants, there are home remedies and mechanical, chemical and biological methods.
Home remedies
There are many methods to eliminate invasive plants, where the home remedies to combat them in the garden are the following:
- Pour only on them, boiling water, followed or repeatedly.
- Dehydrate them until they are eliminated, by placing salt on them.
- Spread them only if they are young plants, acetic acid, by means of vinegar, which begins by burning the leaves.
- Covering or covering the plants, which results in the absence of sunlight. This prevents them from growing and developing, so little by little the plant will begin to weaken and dry out. Following the inability for their seeds to germinate.
mechanical method
The main and effective mechanical method consists of trying to strip them of the substrate from the root, so that there is no presence of invasive plants. It should be noted that this becomes effective only in the initial stage in which the plant is invading the substrate. Therefore, if the plant is already at a level where it exerted control of the substrate, this method will not be profitable and should be discarded.
chemical method
This method for the elimination of invasive plants is the most aggressive and radical. Where it is carried out using powerful herbicides which are a crucial poison for these plants. Being this method, the least recommended, because the feasibility of contaminating the substrate, the other plants, the various Types of animals and people, is quite high.
Bearing in mind that when the substrate reaches poisoning, the effects are more devastating. Besides, before executing this method of elimination, it must be kept in mind that to carry out a new planting, a long time must be waited. Which behaves according to the product used, so that the substrate is free from its harmful effects.
biological methods
The biological methods with which it is sought to eliminate the invasive plants, consists of integrating together with this other non-native species. Where it can happen that it is unpredictable how both behave and the effects they can generate on the substrate and on local plants. On the other hand, the present biodiversity must be taken into consideration, which will have its impact when executing an integration and alteration, product of this elimination mechanism.
Types of invasive plants
Types of invasive plants include the following:
Black or Australian Locust
The black acacia or also called Australian acacia, scientifically receives the name of "Acacia mearnsii". This comes in the form of a bush and corresponds to a legume native to Australia and Tasmania. However, it is found in North and South America, Africa, Asia, Islands belonging to the Indian and Pacific Oceans and New Zealand.
This is one of the invasive plants It has a highly accelerated growth. Which means that it is attributed the fact of being one of the members of the 100 most harmful exotic invasive species in the world. List issued by the International Union for Conservation of Nature or IUCN. Mainly for participating in the rise of the lack of water in riparian areas and for having a strong effect on the decrease in biodiversity.
On the other hand, the black acacia is a small bush, which has a variable height between 7 and 10 meters. Which in turn extends in the form of a cone, reaching its branches practically to the ground. They integrate countless flowers, having their seed in the inner part of the pod, being able to disperse these with remarkable ease for later germination. Surprisingly, its seeds are able to remain sprouting for up to 50 years.
Ardisia Shoebutton
The shoebutton ardisia, which scientifically receives the name "Ardisia elliptica", corresponds to an evergreen tree. This member of the invasive plants has responded with total and absolute success to the integration in tropical areas. Taking that the reason has been, as an ornamental garden vegetation.
This plant is characterized by being native to West India, Indochina, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, New Guinea and Malaysia. It appears as a bush, whose evolution, growth and development takes place close to the surface of the substrate. Exactly below the vegetal layer, having it developed in the tropical undergrowth.
invasive plants from shoebutton ardisia, can grow to a height of 5 meters. In which, if the plant has all the basic requirements of sunlight and moisture, it will go from a young bush to a fully productive adult. The fruits that it provides are consumed by birds and mammals alike, thus being faster to reproduce and spread.
common reed
The common cane, also called "caña brava", "chin", "caña de Castilla" or "caña brava", is a species of plant, classified as herbaceous, that does not have permanent woody organs. Scientifically it receives the name of “Arundo donax”. It is native to Asia, with its extension throughout America, Africa and Mediterranean areas. Its power of invasion and damage has placed it among the 100 exotic species or invasive plants most harmful or harmful on the globe, issued by the IUCN.
It is characterized by being a plant very similar to bamboo. Its height ranges between 3 and 6 meters, its stem being quite thick and internally hollow. It is found in permanent water areas, as well as in wetlands, being able to evolve, develop and grow for miles and miles following watercourses.
It has various uses, such as raw material for the manufacture of reeds, or reeds, used in woodwind instruments. It is also used in the manufacture of other traditional wind musical instruments.
On the other hand, diuretic properties are attributed to it, it favors the decrease in milk production. However, it has serious side effects, so it should be used with caution. Additionally, as an external use, it is used to combat hair loss.
Basil from Cuba
The Cuban basil, with the scientific name "Chromolaena odorataum", is a woody plant or shrub, belonging to the sunflower family. This member of the invasive plants, is native to North America, taking Florida and Texas, to Mexico and the West Indies.
Its presence is classified as a weed, weed or weed. A fact that has placed it among the 100 worst harmful and invasive exotic plant species in the world, a list made by the IUCN. It is presented as an undesirable plant that is characterized by growing in areas cultivated by human beings. Causing crop damage. Initially, this plant is introduced in Africa and Asia, where it wreaks havoc on crops. Continuing without stopping, until it was located mainly in Central Asia, regions of Australia and also Western Africa.
On the other hand, it can also be cultivated for other non-harmful purposes. These are, those of being a medicinal plant, for its virtues to treat wounds and as an ornamental plant. However, it should be handled with caution, because it contains alkaloids that can cause serious liver ailments. Apart from being attributed carcinogenic effects.
Hairy Cordovan from Cuba
The hairy cordovan of Cuba or "hairy cordovan", scientifically called "clidemia hirta", is a perennial shrub, found in practically all tropical areas of the globe. Its destructive power has made it worthy of being placed on the IUCN list of the 100 most harmful exotic invasive plant species on Planet Earth.
It is native to neotropical America. It is found in Australia, East Africa and South Asia, thanks to which its introduction was carried out. Its reproduction extends to form thickets of great density. Such thickness reaches the point of extinction by suffocation to crops, pastures and any other flora that is native to the sector. It should be noted that anyone who manages to enter this plant in Australia must pay a fine of up to 60.000 Australian dollars.
This plant can grow up to a height that ranges from 2 meters, which will have as a development limitation, the area where it is located. It has, for your good, the virtue of keeping flourishing and generating fruits, during the twelve months of the year. The fruit, for its part, has a flavor that resembles that of the blueberry.
These, serving as food for the various Types of birds, as well as other animals, among which the wild pig stands out. They are the ones that disperse the seeds, making it easier for them to germinate in other places, thus spreading the plant. For their part, human beings are not far behind in the consumption of its fruit. Its seeds can be kept in the ground until germination for up to four years, without ceasing to be productive.
Quino
The cinchona, which is also known by the names of "red quinine", "cascarilla" or "kina" and scientifically called "Cinchona pubescens", is a tree. It is located as originally from Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Bolivia. Surprisingly, it is a member of two lists issued by the International Union for Conservation of Nature or IUCN.
It is listed as one of the 100 exotic species of invasive plants most harmful in the world. While in the other list it is classified as a "Vulnerable" species of extinction. This tree grows to a height that ranges from 10 meters, where its trunk can easily develop about 0,30 meters in diameter. Its bark has alkaloids, mainly quinine, followed by quinidine, cinchonidine and cinchonine. For what medicinal properties are attributed to treat malaria. As well as it is also widely used as:
- Antiseptic
- Digestive
- Astringent
- Healing
- Febrifuge
- Tonic
- Cholagogue (to facilitate the expulsion of bile)
- Inapetence
- Flu
- Convalescence, among others.
camalote
The camalote is also known by the names of “water hyacinth”, “bora flower”, “water buchón”, “water lily”, “aguapey”, “bora flower”, “tarope”, “reyna” or “tarulla”. Scientifically it receives the denomination of “Eichhornia crassipes”, being an aquatic plant. Which are all those that develop in areas that can be lakes, ponds, riverbanks, lagoons, puddles, swamps or estuaries. Having as its only need, the humid or aquatic medium to have its complete development.
It is native to fresh water, from the warm areas of North America, exactly from the Plata hydrographic basin and the Amazon basin. Its destructive and invasive power has allowed it to be present on the IUCN list, belonging to the 100 exotic species of invasive plants most harmful in the world. On the other hand, medicinal and aphrodisiac properties are attributed to this particular plant, as well as being widely used as a fertilizer, without leaving aside the ornamental category.
leafy spurge
The leafy spurge, which receives the scientific name of “Euphorbia ésula”, is an herb that belongs to the “euphorbiaceae” family. This is native to Central and Southern Europe, that is, the Netherlands, North England and Germany, and also East Asia.
It is characterized by being one of the invasive plants, herbaceous perennial, which can develop a height that ranges from 100 to 120 centimeters. Its stems are branched from what is the base of the plant. The way it reproduces is through the seeds it generates in its flowers. Its irruptive power has placed it on the list of the 100 worst exotic species of invasive harmful plants in the world.
dead reed
The marciego reed, which receives the scientific name of "Imperata cylindrica", is a herb belonging to the grass family, which is the fourth family with the greatest species richness. Bearing that it is native to tropical areas, as well as the temperate and warm zones that encompass Planet Earth. It is distributed in the Mediterranean up to Central Asia. On the other hand, it is located in all the tropics of the globe and mainly in Chile.
It inhabits any site that represents a swamp, as well as the margins, uncultivated areas and highly preferred in the vineyards. The marciego reed plant can grow from 20 to approximately 120 centimeters in height, having upright stems.
Its ample hermaphrodite reproductive capacity, as well as its detrimental capacity, has allowed it to be found among the 100 species of invasive plants most harmful exotics in the world. List made by the International Union for Conservation of Nature or IUCN. Interestingly, while in some parts it behaves as a totally devastating, highly damaging and unwanted weed, in other parts it is planted for ornamental purposes.
