scholarly journals Green Pioneers: Raising awareness of invasive plants for all ages

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Bogaerts ◽  
Sofie De Smedt ◽  
Sofie Meeus ◽  
Quentin Groom
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
Invasive Plant Species ◽  
Botanic Garden

When researchers and managers are asked to rank the issues that prevent adequate control of invasive species, lack of public awareness is at the top of the list (Dehnen‐Schmutz et al. 2018). It is therefore imperative to raise the general public's awareness of the potential risks of introducing alien species into the wild. Green Pioneers, a citizen science project funded by the Flemish Government, (Fig. 1) aims to address this issue in Belgium, across age groups. The project aims to Create awareness on invasive species, highlighting how invasions can be avoided and how to mitigate their impact. Improve communication between citizens and scientists on conservation and invasive plant species. Augment the quality and quantity of data on invasive species. Create awareness on invasive species, highlighting how invasions can be avoided and how to mitigate their impact. Improve communication between citizens and scientists on conservation and invasive plant species. Augment the quality and quantity of data on invasive species. The project is developing three kinds of activity, specifically to attract a broad demographic: - 'Young Pioneers', by developing tools for teachers in science, technology, engineering and mathemathics for school children from 12-15 years old. - 'Online Pioneers', through our online citizen science platform DoeDat.be, by helping with the transcription of label information on herbarium specimens, - and 'Visiteers', by inviting companies and working age people to help us in the collection and to inform them about invasive species. Finally, we will be organizing a BioBlitz in spring 2020 at Meise Botanic Garden where we will celebrate plants and all our Green Pioneers, while also spreading the message of invasive plant awareness. During our 48 hour BioBlitz, scientists, volunteers and citizens are workig together to survey the biodiversity of our Botanic Garden. Ultimately, Green Pioneers aim to encourage recording of alien species by amateur botanists and create a generation of responsible gardeners who understand the consequences of releasing invasive alien plants into the wild.

scholarly journals Public attitude in the city of Belgrade towards invasive alien plant species

2012 ◽  
pp. 189-204
Author(s):  
Jelena Tomicevic ◽  
Mihailo Grbic ◽  
Dragana Skocajic ◽  
Dragana Radovanovic
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Public Attitude ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Invasive Plant Species ◽  
Alien Plant ◽  
The Public ◽  
The City

Biological invasions are seen as a major threat to biodiversity at a global level, while the number of new invasions is increasing at an alarming rate. Raising the awareness of the public, academic world and policy makers about the dangers caused by invasive species, is essential for the creation of the support needed to implement and coordinate the policies necessary to address this problem. The aim of this study is to determine the level of local public awareness of the existence of these plant species, examine the public attitude towards alien invasive plant species and willingness to get involved in the prevention of their spreading. The survey was conducted in four nurseries on the territory of the City of Belgrade and the investigation dealt only with alien invasive woody plant species. Thirty customers were questioned in each of the four nurseries. The results show that local public is uninformed on the issue of invasive plant species. It is necessary to constantly and intensively raise their awareness of this issue, as well as the awareness of harmful consequences that may occur due to the uncontrolled spreading of alien invasive species. This refers not only to the population that visits the nurseries and buys the plants there and to those employed in plant production and selling, but also to the whole local public and decision makers.

Public Reaction to Invasive Plant Species in a Disturbed Colorado Landscape

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 390-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael T. Daab ◽  
Courtney G. Flint
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Invasive Plants ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Invasive Plant Species ◽  
North Central ◽  
The Public ◽  
Large Scale Disturbance

AbstractInvasive plant species degrade ecosystems in many ways. Controlling invasive plants is costly for government agencies, businesses, and individuals. North central Colorado is currently experiencing large-scale disturbance, and millions of acres are vulnerable to invasion because of natural and socioeconomic processes. Mountain pine beetles typically endemic to this region have reached epidemic proportions, with up to 80% tree mortality, which opens growing space for invasive plants. In socioeconomic terms, the popularity of this amenity-rich region for tourists and in-migrants has resulted in increased development, often bordering the public land that is common in the American West. Increased recreational access and the construction of new roads and infrastructure disturb ecosystems in an increasingly fragmented landscape. A survey was mailed to more than 4,000 households in a five-county region of north central Colorado to gauge public awareness and attitudes regarding invasive plant species, helping to illuminate whether the public shows a capacity to help land managers detect and respond to invasive plants before they profoundly alter the local ecosystem. Although 88% of respondents had heard or read about invasive plant species, far fewer were familiar with specific, locally targeted species, and fewer still had taken any action to control these species. The overall awareness and concern about invasive plants in the area indicated a capacity for more public participation in management.

Composting Invasive Plants in the Rio Grande River

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 473-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica J. Meier ◽  
Tina M. Waliczek ◽  
Michael L. Abbott
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Giant Reed ◽  
Invasive Plant Species ◽  
Whole Plant ◽  
Germination And Growth ◽  
Vegetative Propagules ◽  
The U.S

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine the effect of whole-plant composting on the viability of seeds and other propagules of the invasive plant species waterhyacinth, waterlettuce, hydrilla, and giant reed while producing a valuable compost product. Invasive species were subjected to preliminary germination and growth tests and oven mortality tests to evaluate whether species distribution was via seeds, vegetative propagules, or both, as well as whether the composting process had the potential, through the high temperatures obtained, to kill seeds and other propagules. Germination and growth tests determined the means by which invasive species spread. Oven tests determined the temperatures at which unscarified and scarified seeds and propagules were rendered inviable. Achieving temperatures of at least 57.2 C was necessary within constructed compost piles to effectively kill the plants without the danger of redistribution. In the field, the study successfully developed a large-scale composting operation using invasive plant species as the primary feedstock. Analysis of field-scale composting showed final materials were within satisfactory to ideal levels for samples analyzed by the U.S. Compost Council's Seal of Testing Assurance Program and were, therefore, a valuable compost product.

scholarly journals Keragaman dan Pengendalian Tumbuhan Invasif di KHDTK Samboja, Kalimantan Timur (Diversity and Management of Invasive Plants in Samboja Research Forest, Kalimantan Timur)

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 351
Author(s):  
Bina Swasta Sitepu
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Invasive Plants ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Forest Succession ◽  
Acacia Mangium ◽  
Forest Area ◽  
Primary Forest ◽  
Secondary Forests ◽  
Invasive Plant Species

Historically, and based on the latest conditions, Samboja Research Forest has a fairly high vulnerability to the presence of invasive species that can interfere with ecosystem stability and forest succession. However, data collection and risk assessment of invasive species have not been conducted in the forest area. The study was carried out to support the management of Samboja Research Forest, particularly in controlling invasive species. The study was conducted with exploration techniques in open areas, secondary forests, and primary forests. The density and frequency data of invasive plants were obtained using random plots in secondary and primary forest areas. The results showed the presence of 52 invasive plant species in the Samboja Research Forest area with dominance by shrubs and herbs. Based on plants distribution and density, four crucial invasive plant species in Samboja Research Forest were identified, namely: Acacia mangium, Spathodea campanulata, Miconia crenata, and Piper aduncum. The management of invasive species was carried out in two stages, short term, through manual weeding, and in the long term, with the prevention, eradication, and periodic risk assessment.Keywords: invasive alien species, Kalimantan, eradication, Spathodea campanulata

scholarly journals Distribution of selected invasive plant species in the Romensko-Poltavsky Geobotanical District (Ukraine)

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetyana S. Dvirna
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Invasive Plant Species

Abstract The paper presents the distribution of 10 selected invasive plant species in Ukraine. The studied taxa comprised 8 invasive and 2 potentially invasive species. All species were characterized in phytogeographical, biological and ecological terms. Their distribution was shown on grid maps.

scholarly journals DISTRIBUTION OF INVASIVE SPECIES (CRASSULACEAE) IN THE DAUGAVPILS CITY (LATVIA)

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Santa Rutkovska ◽  
Ingūna Zeiļa
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Natural Ecosystem ◽  
Invasive Plant Species ◽  
Alien Plant Species ◽  
Alien Plant ◽  
Species Protection ◽  
The World

The problem of invasive plant species is becoming more popular all over the world. The peculiarities of alien plant species is also growing in Latvia every year. Invasive species are the serious problem for natural ecosystem and species protection, in traditional landscape visual conservation as well it shows noticeable economical reducing in farming. Existing flora and its structure was as appearing in approximately 10 000-15 000 years after the last examining. It is still developing, quantitative and qualitative plant changes continue to grow in flora. That has an influence on natural narrowing, distribution and species changes. In Latvia, as well in such city as Daugavpils, such questions as alien plant growing were examined only in some fragments. An alien plant growing was analyzed. The following facts are found the biggest plant concentration is noticed in dry and sunny places well near the artificial plant areas.

scholarly journals Invasive alien plants in Poland – the state of research and the use of the results in practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 71-95
Author(s):  
Barbara Tokarska-Guzik ◽  
Katarzyna Bzdęga ◽  
Zygmunt Dajdok ◽  
Karolina Mazurska ◽  
Wojciech Solarz
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
The State ◽  
Invasive Plant Species ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Alien Plant ◽  
Invasive Alien Plant ◽  
State Of Research ◽  
Basic And Applied Research

Abstract The participation of species of alien origin in the flora of individual regions of the world is increasing. A large proportion of these species pose a threat to biodiversity. Issues of the dynamics of changes in the flora and the scale and pace of the processes, with particular emphasis on the biology, ecology, chorology, and genetic variability of the populations of plants of alien origin, including those alien species which are invasive, have been the subject of many years of research in this field in Poland. The present study is an overview of the state of research on invasive plant species in Poland, including the main results of the basic and applied research which have provided the basis for (i) the preparation of a list of invasive plant species for Poland; (ii) assessing the degree of invasiveness of the species analysed, in accordance with the adoption of criteria and the development of methodological solutions. In this work, a new version of the list of invasive plant species has been prepared on the basis of earlier studies, combining theoretical and practical aspects of definition, and it is compared with the list of invasive alien plant species considered to constitute a threat to the EU and Poland as a member country. The categorization (risk assessment) of invasive alien species along with the identification of the most endangered types of natural habitats is often used in practice in the management of invasive plants in Poland. The results of our research have fed into the formulation of legal regulations at the global and regional levels.

scholarly journals Invazivne biljke kalničkih šuma

2016 ◽  
Vol 140 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 64-64
Author(s):  
Gabrijel Horvat ◽  
Jozo Franjić
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Ambrosia Artemisiifolia ◽  
Invasive Plant Species ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Forest Lands ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Acacia Tree

This paper presents an invasive plant species that occur in the forests of Kalnik. It also presents the state of the distribution and their impact on forests of Kalnik. A total of 14 invasive species in the forests of Kalnik and these are – Acer negundo L., Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Amorpha fruticosa L., Asclepias syriaca L., Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist, Echinocystis lobata (Michx.) Torr. et Gray, Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers., Impatiens glandulifera Royle, Juncus tenuis Willd.), Phytolacca americana L., Reynoutria japonica Houtt., Robinia pseudoacacia L., Solidago gigantea Aiton. Alochtonous vegetation is not only inevitable, but it also appears to be a constant future challenge in the globalizing world which communicates on all levels with every means possible. Its influence should not by any means be marginalized. Its importance and influence is not completely negative and there are possible benefits and dangers which should be controlled by the preventive measures and physical regulation. The most important species in Kalnik forest vegetation is definitely acacia. It is especially important for private forest lands where acacia tree has become very popular because of its characteristics as a fast growing tree species without any special requirements with relation to growth and it gives fast results concerning timber and firewood. Private lots are usually very small and fragmented. There is a growing need for timber, therefore the trees are grown extensively, from stumps and roots. Other woody species still do not pose a serious threat in economical or biological sense. The impact of herbaceous plants differs in various areas. The most problematic issues for the forestersare thick layers of unwanted specieswhich grow in young forest stands or in forests in the phase of restorationwhere these unwanted speciesinvasively compete with autochthonous species. In biological sense, invasive species pose a constant threat not only to domestic vegetation and biodiversity, but also to human health. We should also mention apiculture, a very important and well developed activity on Kalnik. Above mentioned species are very important and interesting for apiculture as a type of rich bee pasturage. Apiculture in this area depends on acacia pasturage and it is one of very important reasons for growing acacia tree. Other tree species are also valuable for bee pasturage, especially late in autumn when there is no other bee pasturage available and they are mostly species which blossom in autumn and represent a valuable source of pollen (Japanese Knotweed, Prickly cucumber and European goldenrod). Generally speaking, the biggest responsibility for possible consequences of invasive plant species to the vegetation of Kalnik lies on foresters who have to recognize and monitor the appearance of invasive species, especially in state forest lands where they grow and directly influence their composition and state.

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