Kentucky Fish & Wildlife: Late autumn is optimal time to weed out some invasive plant species – WKMS

Report on Invasive Species Management in Kentucky and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A recent initiative by the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources encourages the identification and removal of invasive plant species during the autumn months. This period offers a strategic advantage as non-native plants often retain their green foliage longer than native species, facilitating easier identification. This effort is a critical measure for preserving local ecosystems and directly supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 15 (Life on Land), by addressing the threat of invasive alien species to biodiversity.

Impact on Biodiversity and SDG 15: Life on Land

The uncontrolled spread of invasive plants presents a significant threat to local biodiversity, undermining progress toward SDG 15. This goal specifically targets the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. The actions of invasive species directly contravene Target 15.8, which calls for measures to prevent and reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems.

• Competition: Invasive plants out-compete native species for essential resources such as light, space, and nutrients.
• Biodiversity Loss: This competition leads to a quantifiable decrease in the biodiversity of an area.
• Ecosystem Disruption: The displacement of native vegetation creates a “food desert” for local wildlife, as invasive plants are often unpalatable. This disruption of the food web can force wildlife to migrate, further degrading the ecosystem’s health and resilience, which is a core concern of SDG 15.5 (halt biodiversity loss).

Identification and Management Strategies

The Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources has identified the fall season as an optimal time for landowners to take action. The distinct coloration of invasive plants allows for effective identification even by an untrained eye.

Key Invasive Species of Concern

• Bush honeysuckle
• Autumn olive
• Winter creeper

Recommended Eradication Methods

1. Direct manual removal of plants from the ground.
2. Strategic application of approved herbicides.
3. Implementation of prescribed burns under controlled conditions.

Collaborative Action and Resources for Sustainable Ecosystems

Achieving sustainable management of local ecosystems requires a multi-stakeholder approach, aligning with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The state wildlife agency is actively engaging private landowners, who are crucial partners in conservation efforts. To support this collaboration, several resources are available to assist property owners in contributing to the state’s biodiversity goals.

• Expert Consultation: Landowners can contact a local private lands biologist for specialized advice on identifying and removing invasive species.
• Educational Materials: Local extension offices provide valuable resources, including the Kentucky Invasive Plants Field Guide, to educate the public and empower them to take informed action.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  This is the primary SDG addressed in the article. The goal 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 article’s entire focus is on the threat that invasive plant species pose to the local ecosystem in Kentucky. It directly discusses the negative impact on biodiversity and wildlife, and the efforts by a state agency to manage and restore the natural environment, which are central themes of SDG 15.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• 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 the urgency of addressing invasive species, which “out compete the native species for space, light, nutrients… which ultimately leads to a decrease in biodiversity.” This degradation of the natural habitat disrupts the local ecosystem and creates a “food desert for the wildlife.” The call to action for landowners to identify and remove these plants represents the “urgent and significant action” needed to halt this biodiversity loss.

• 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 directly addressed. The article is centered on a measure introduced by the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources to control specific invasive alien species. It explicitly names priority species to be controlled or eradicated, such as “bush honeysuckle, autumn olive, and winter creeper.” The agency’s campaign encouraging landowners to remove these plants is a clear example of a measure to “significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species.”

• Target 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts.

  The actions of the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, a state-level (local) agency, demonstrate the integration of biodiversity values into local planning and public outreach. By creating a public awareness campaign, providing educational resources like the “Kentucky Invasive Plants Field Guide,” and making private lands biologists available for consultation, the state is actively incorporating ecosystem management into its operational strategies.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Implied Indicators for Target 15.5:

  While no official indicators are named, progress can be measured by monitoring the outcomes of the removal efforts. Implied indicators include:

  1. Recovery of native species: A reduction in invasive plants would allow native species to thrive. Measuring the population and diversity of native flora would indicate progress.
  2. Increase in wildlife presence: The article states that invasive plants create a “food desert for the wildlife,” causing them to “move on to somewhere else.” An increase in the presence of local wildlife on private lands would serve as an indicator that the habitat is being restored.
• Implied Indicators for Target 15.8:

  The article implies several ways to measure the effectiveness of the control measures:

  1. Area of land managed for invasive species: Tracking the acreage on which landowners have actively removed invasive plants like bush honeysuckle, autumn olive, and winter creeper.
  2. Reduction in the population/spread of identified invasive species: Monitoring the prevalence of the specific invasive plants mentioned to see if their populations are declining over time.
  3. Number of landowners engaged: The state agency encourages property owners to act. The number of landowners who contact biologists, use the field guide, or participate in removal efforts would be a direct indicator of the program’s reach and success.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wkms.org