Invasive alien plants to be monitored

A Plant Patrol under the supervision of the Clean Annapolis River Project (CARP) will be GPS-mapping invasive alien plants in the Annapolis Valley this month and next. The data will allow botanists to monitor the introduction and spread of these problem plants.

CARP environmental researcher Marika Godwin says if all goes well with the project, she hopes that the study can be expanded to cover the province.

The Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens at Acadia University also conduct some invasive plant outreach. They are one CARP’s partners in this project.

Godwin says there are a number of concerned botanists, gardeners, naturalists, and citizens already monitoring invasive plants in their own neighbourhoods that she talks to regularly.

CARP has had a project ongoing for the past year called "Community Action on Invasive Alien Plants", as described on their website: www.annapolisriver.ca “The main focus of this project has been to educate the public about the threats posed by invasive alien plants,” said Godwin.

She has been speaking to garden clubs and field naturalists in an effort to encourage more people to take responsibility for invasive plants on their own property, and to be more careful when choosing plants. “I inform people of the risks imposed by invasive plants because many people don’t see plants as threatening,” she said.

Plants considered as invasive aliens include: glossy and common buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula & R. cathartica), Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), common reed (Phragmites australis), garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) and most recently - Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus).

The multiflora rose is now in bloom in southwest Nova Scotia, with clusters of small single white, fragrant flowers. It has reseeded extensively and can be found in many areas. Further north, purple loosestrife is choking wetlands.

As native populations decline due to invasion, gene pools of native plant populations dwindle and a monoculture is created.

Some of the ways to control invasive plants is to cut seedheads off before they spread and to dispose of pulled plants by drying and burning them or placing them in the garbage instead of composting.

CARP does need a few more volunteers at the east end of the Valley to assist with the mapping project. GPS units and training will be provided. Volunteers need an interest in plants, and must have access to a vehicle.

For more information on invasive plants in the province or on volunteering with this project, call Godwin at 888.547.4344 or email: marikagodwin@annapolisriver.ca