FIRST ALERT WEATHER: A guide to spotting and removing invasive plant species – KY3

Report on the Management of Invasive Plant Species and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Seasonal Opportunity for Ecosystem Restoration

The late autumn and early winter period presents a critical window for identifying and managing invasive plant species, which pose a significant threat to local ecosystems. As native flora enters dormancy, the persistent green foliage of non-native invasive plants makes them highly visible. This report outlines the identification of key invasive species in the Missouri region and recommends management strategies that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

The proliferation of invasive species directly undermines several key Sustainable Development Goals. Effective management is therefore essential for global sustainability targets.

• SDG 15: Life on Land: Invasive species are a primary driver of biodiversity loss. They outcompete native plants, degrade habitats, and disrupt ecosystems, directly contravening Target 15.5 (halt biodiversity loss) and Target 15.8 (control invasive alien species).
• SDG 13: Climate Action: Healthy, biodiverse ecosystems are more resilient to climate change. By weakening these natural systems, invasive species reduce their capacity for carbon sequestration and adaptation.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The adaptability of these species allows them to thrive in urban and suburban environments, threatening the health of green spaces essential for community well-being.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Recommended management practices, such as manual removal over chemical application, promote sustainable land use and reduce pollution.

Identified Invasive Species of Concern

An assessment by the Missouri Department of Conservation highlights three particularly aggressive species that threaten native habitats.

Winter Creeper (Euonymus fortunei)

This perennial vine spreads rapidly across forest floors and climbs trees, rocks, and other structures. Its aggressive growth smothers native groundcover and seedlings, directly contributing to the degradation of terrestrial ecosystems as outlined in SDG 15.

Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)

Autumn Olive is a large shrub capable of reaching heights of 20 feet. While its berries provide a food source for birds, its overall ecological impact is profoundly negative.

• Ecological Disruption: The plant alters the soil’s nitrogen cycle, creating conditions that are detrimental to native plant species adapted to less nutrient-rich soil.
• Conflict with SDG 15.3: This alteration of soil composition constitutes a form of land degradation, directly conflicting with the goal to combat desertification and restore degraded land and soil.

Bush Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii)

This invasive shrub forms dense thickets that dominate the forest understory. Its impact is a critical threat to achieving SDG 15 targets.

• Biodiversity Loss: By shading and crowding out native flora, Bush Honeysuckle eliminates the food and habitat sources required by native insects and wildlife.
• Habitat Degradation: This process fundamentally alters the structure of the forest ecosystem, leading to a significant loss of biodiversity and habitat integrity.

Recommended Management and Mitigation Strategies

To restore ecological balance and advance sustainability goals, landowners are strongly encouraged to remove invasive species from their property. The following methods are recommended:

1. Manual Removal: The preferred method is the physical removal of the plant by pulling or digging. This technique is most effective as it removes the entire root system, preventing regrowth. This approach aligns with SDG 12 by avoiding the introduction of chemical pollutants into the environment.
2. Chemical Application: If manual removal is not feasible, herbicides may be utilized. However, extreme caution must be exercised to ensure that the chosen chemicals do not harm surrounding native plants, thereby preventing further damage to local biodiversity.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

SDG 15: Life on Land

• The article directly addresses SDG 15, which aims to “protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.” The core issue discussed is the threat posed by invasive plant species like winter creeper, autumn olive, and bush honeysuckle to native ecosystems in Missouri. The article explains how these species disrupt the natural environment, which is a central concern of SDG 15.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

• The article highlights how invasive species cause habitat degradation and biodiversity loss. For example, it states that bush honeysuckle “spreads rapidly, quickly overtaking the forest floor and stunting the growth of native plants.” It further explains, “What that does is choke out the native plants that our native insects, native wildlife need as part of their habitat.” This directly connects to the goal of halting biodiversity loss and reducing habitat degradation.

Target 15.8: By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species.

• This target is the most relevant to the article. The entire piece serves as a guide for landowners to identify and remove specific invasive alien species. It names “priority species” for the region (winter creeper, autumn olive, bush honeysuckle) and describes their negative impacts, such as the autumn olive “negatively impacting the nitrogen cycle.” The recommendation to “pull it or dig it up” is a direct call to action for the control and eradication of these species to reduce their environmental impact.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Implied Indicator: Reduction in land area covered by invasive alien species.

• While the article does not provide statistics, it implies that a key measure of success would be the reduction of the presence of the identified invasive species. The article’s purpose is to encourage landowners to remove winter creeper, autumn olive, and bush honeysuckle. Therefore, tracking the change in the land area covered by these specific plants would be a direct indicator of progress towards Target 15.8.

Implied Indicator: Increase in the health and population of native plant species.

• The article states that invasive species “choke out the native plants.” A logical indicator of successful invasive species management would be the recovery of native plant populations in areas where invaders have been removed. Monitoring the growth and diversity of native flora would measure the restoration of the ecosystem, aligning with the goals of Target 15.5.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ky3.com