Report on the Decline of Native Plant Species in Southern New England and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Ecological Interdependence and Sustainable Development

Native plant and wildlife species in the New England region have co-evolved over millennia, forming complex, symbiotic relationships essential for ecosystem health. Pollinators, for instance, facilitate plant reproduction, which in turn provides them with sustenance. This intricate web of life, comprising species that existed in the region prior to European settlement, is foundational to a productive and resilient natural environment. The preservation of this biodiversity is a core component of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land), which aims to protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. The health of these ecosystems is directly linked to human well-being, a key concern of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Threats to Regional Biodiversity and SDG Targets

The integrity of New England’s native ecosystems is under significant threat from multiple anthropogenic pressures. These factors contribute directly to biodiversity loss, undermining progress toward SDG 15 targets, particularly Target 15.5, which calls for urgent action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats and halt the loss of biodiversity.

• Invasive Species: Non-native plants and animals disrupt native ecological relationships.
• Land Development: Urban and suburban sprawl fragments and eliminates natural habitats. The conversion of an estimated 150 million acres of U.S. habitat and farmland, including over 40 million acres for manicured lawns, represents a significant challenge to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by creating unsustainable land-use patterns.
• Environmental Contaminants: Human-made poisons degrade soil and water quality, harming both flora and fauna.
• Climate Change: Shifting climate patterns create conditions unfavorable for native species. This threat highlights the interconnectedness of SDG 15 with SDG 13 (Climate Action), as healthy ecosystems are vital for both climate mitigation and adaptation.

The Critical Role of Keystone Plants in Achieving SDG 15

Certain native plants, termed “keystone species,” are disproportionately important for supporting local food webs and providing habitat. Their decline can trigger a collapse of the local ecosystem, severely impeding efforts to halt biodiversity loss as mandated by SDG 15. Protecting these species is a strategic priority for maintaining ecosystem function. Key examples in southern New England include:

• Oak Trees
• Milkweed
• Asters
• Goldenrod
• Willows

Status of At-Risk Plant Species in Southern New England

An assessment of state-level data reveals a significant number of native plant species are at risk of extirpation, indicating a critical need for conservation action to meet biodiversity goals.

Rhode Island

As of 2016, Rhode Island’s list of at-risk flora includes 414 species. Orchids are particularly vulnerable, with 33 of the 36 native species listed. The decline of these species is a direct indicator of diminishing biodiversity.

1. Endangered: Foxtail bog-clubmoss, Northern blazing star, Quill-leaved arrowhead, Purple milkweed, Purple-stemmed angelica.
2. Threatened: American larch, Green-headed coneflower, Zig-zag goldenrod.
3. Species of Concern: Trumpet honeysuckle, Canada dwarf dogwood, Yellow blue-bead lily, Fiddlehead fern, Clasping milkweed, Large-leaved wood aster.
4. Historical (Extirpated): Awl-leaved arrowhead, Red elderberry, Yellow pimpernel, Eastern silver American aster.

Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, 273 plant species are protected under the state’s Endangered Species Act, with an additional 45 species considered historically extirpated. This loss represents a significant challenge to the objectives of SDG 15.

1. Endangered: Purple giant hyssop, Annual peanutgrass, Putty-root, Swamp birch, Cornel-leaved aster.
2. Threatened: Green dragon, Whorled milkweed, Fen cuckoo-flower.
3. Species of Concern: Hitchcock’s sedge, Purple clematis, Large-leaved goldenrod, Frank’s lovegrass.
4. Historical (Extirpated): Hairy angelica, Scarlet painted cup, Lizard’s tail.

Connecticut

Connecticut lists approximately 300 plant species as being of conservation concern, reflecting widespread pressure on native habitats and a need for targeted interventions to restore biodiversity.

1. Endangered: Prairie goldenrod, Yellow giant hyssop, Dwarf mistletoe, Arrowfeather, Green milkweed, Rough aster.
2. Threatened: Showy aster, Short-awned meadow foxtail, Bog rosemary, Yellow corydalis.
3. Species of Concern: Dragon’s mouth, White milkweed, Salt marsh bulrush, Purple cress, Appalachian white aster.

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

The article primarily addresses issues related to the conservation of biodiversity and terrestrial ecosystems. The following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are most relevant:

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The text focuses on the threats to native plant species, the decline of biodiversity, the degradation of natural habitats due to human activity, and the importance of protecting threatened species. The article explicitly discusses how “the health of native plants, shrubs, and trees is in decline,” leading to a reduction in biodiversity and the collapse of local ecosystems.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article connects the loss of biodiversity directly to unsustainable development and land use. It mentions that “development has taken intact, ecologically productive land and fragmented and transformed it” and that the United States has lost “150 million acres of habitat and farmland to sprawl.” This highlights the impact of urbanization and land management practices on natural ecosystems, which is a core concern of SDG 11.

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

Based on the issues discussed, several specific targets under SDG 15 and SDG 11 can be identified:

1. SDG 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 is centered on this target. It details the decline of native plant species in New England, providing extensive lists of plants that are of “concern, threatened, endangered, or historical (essentially extirpated)” in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. The entire premise of the article is to highlight the species most at risk and the urgent need to prevent their extinction.

2. SDG 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.

   The article explicitly identifies “Nonnative invasive species, both plant and animal” as one of the primary factors conspiring to “shred the native web of life and reduce biodiversity.” This directly aligns with the goal of preventing and reducing the impact of invasive species.

3. SDG Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services…

   The article supports this target by quoting the National Audubon Society, which states that “restoring native plant habitat is vital to preserving biodiversity.” The discussion of “keystone plants” and their role in supporting the entire ecosystem underscores the importance of conserving and restoring these specific terrestrial habitats.

4. SDG Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for… sustainable human settlement planning and management…

   The article criticizes current development patterns, noting the loss of “a ‘staggering’ 150 million acres of habitat and farmland to sprawl.” This points to a lack of sustainable urbanization and land planning, which is the focus of this target. The transformation of ecologically productive land into “lawns and exotic ornamentals” is presented as an unsustainable practice.

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

Yes, the article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress.

• Lists of Threatened and Endangered Species

  The most direct indicators provided are the lists of species at risk, which relate to Target 15.5. The article gives specific numbers that can be tracked over time:

  • Rhode Island: “414 species that are state listed” as of 2016.
  • Massachusetts: “273 species of plants are protected under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act.”
  • Connecticut: “about 300 plants species are state listed” as of 2015.

  The status of individual species mentioned (e.g., purple milkweed, northern blazing star, American larch) serves as a qualitative indicator of biodiversity loss. These lists are a direct measure for an indicator like the Red List Index (Indicator 15.5.1).

• Acreage of Habitat Loss and Land Transformation

  The article provides specific figures on land use change, which can serve as indicators for Targets 15.1 and 11.3:

  • “150 million acres of habitat and farmland to sprawl” in the United States.
  • “over 40 million acres” of land covered by manicured lawns.

  These figures quantify the extent of habitat degradation and unsustainable land use, providing a baseline against which restoration efforts or changes in development patterns can be measured.

• Presence of Invasive Species

  While not quantified, the article’s identification of “Nonnative invasive species” as a primary threat implies that the prevalence and spread of these species are key indicators for Target 15.8. Tracking the presence and impact of these species would be a way to measure progress.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ecori.org