Essay Example on Invasive Species: Kudzu, Pampas Grass, Star-Thistle

Introduction

Invasive species are the species that are not native to a location and are often cited as damaging to the environment, economy, and human health. Invasive species are introduced species of either plants or animals that dominate a region to cause disruption. The three notable but significantly different invasive species include Kudzu, Purple pampas grass, and the Yellow star-thistle.

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Kudzu

Kudzu is a vine that is native to Asia, yet still, a plant that was primarily introduced to the southeastern USA in the early 20th century (Waldner, 2008). Kudzu was thought to be a means of eradicating soil erosion but only led to devastating environmental hazards. The plant has spread as a result of its unique reproduction method of cloning, where its roots as soon as any stem is exposed to soil (Waldner, 2008). The invasive plant has the potential to remain devastating to the environment as it can survive in almost any condition. Kudzu is referred to as the vine that ate the south. The efforts to eradicate the plant, mechanical, chemical, and biological have been outpaced by its domination. Mowing and cutting back have led to positive impacts on the environment. The use of herbicides has been less time consuming and sometimes advantageous to the soils that demand potassium. However, too much use of chemicals poisons southern soils. Biological pest control measures have been ineffective as some organisms that consume kudzu also feed on non-target species such as soybeans.

Purple pampas grass

Purple pampas grass is also an invasive species native to South America yet introduced to areas such as Australia as an ornamental plant, forage, and a means to control soil erosion (Pimentel, 2009). Purple pampas grass is a perennial grass with basal leaves that reproduces fast as a single plume can produce hundreds of thousands of seeds. This invasive species affects roadsides, bluffs, and dunes. The plant can also be found on native grassland. The species has become a severe problem of forestry as it encourages the growth of young trees and leads to potential fire hazards. Control measures pertinent to various regions such as New Zealand include the introduction of legislation and public awareness campaigns (Pimentel, 2009). The plant can also be physically eliminated through mechanical excavation. However, this method destroys surrounding vegetation. Similarly, biological and chemical control measures negatively impact the environment by affecting the desirable grass species. Grazing is the least effective method yet does not destroy the environment.

Yellow star-thistle

The Yellow star-thistle is an invasive plant species native to the Mediterranean region yet introduced to other parts of the world, such as the United States and Australia, as an exotic species (Pimentel, 2009). Its native areas have had natural biological control measures, yet this factor was not considered during the introduction to the various parts of the world. The Yellow star-thistle inhibits the growth of other plant species, affecting the natural biodiversity (Pimentel, 2009). Besides, human activities such as land grading, grazing, and any forms of soil disturbance has led to the spreading of the plant. Yellow star-thistle is resistive to most chemical and biological control measures. Its domination, therefore, remains a threat to biodiversity.

Species Conservation

Species Conservation is an essential aspect as it prevents species from going extinct. Some of the threats to extinction include habitat degradation, fragmentation, and poaching. More often than not, the loss of one species influences the loss of some more. Species conservation encourages a balanced ecosystem for better living. Many efforts and strategies exist to save many of the endangered species across the globe. One of the main strategies for species conservation comprises the maintenance of intact landscapes (Wan, Ganey, Vojta, & Cushman, 2018). There are only a few viable landscapes that are important for a balanced ecological system. Checking on the landscapes aims at protecting and improving ecological integrity as well as the efficiency of the best landscapes. This strategy has various strengths as it influences the repair of historical impacts and eliminates possible threats to the system. Besides, the maintenance of intact landscapes ensures that ecological processes are reinstated. However, the strategy demands a lot of effort to accomplish.

Secondly, species can be conserved through controlling emerging threats. The ecological system is faced by multiple threats such as climate change and the invasion by new species, which ought to be, addressed effectively (Wan, Ganey, Vojta, & Cushman, 2018). It is critical to mitigating any threats on time to ensure that the impacts on biodiversity are not fully realized. For instance, various strategies to mitigate climate change include passive adaptation, active adaptation, and transformation meant to change ecological processes. The main strength of this strategy is that multiple methods can be combined to control threats. However, the strategy is weak in that it is too specific. Among the activities within the plan include maintenance of functional regions, getting rid of stressors, and restoring habitats. Thirdly, species conservation can effectively be realized through the recovery of threatened species as well as ecological communities (Wan, Ganey, Vojta, & Cushman, 2018). This ensures that there is the persistence of the species. The key strength of this strategy is that it points to the existing species and ecosystems. However, the approach is time-consuming, and profound knowledge is required for an efficient recovery process.

Deforestation

Deforestation is the act of permanently eliminating trees to create space for other activities besides a forest. Various factors contribute to deforestation, including construction and manufacturing, agriculture and grazing, as well as using timber for fuel. Tropical deforestation for agricultural and grazing activities is the most common factor that contributes to the cutting of trees. The commodities that are utilized in the areas of deforestation include beef, soy, palm, and oil products (Laurance, Sayer, & Cassman, 2014). These align with the interest of human beings at the time of deforestation. Deforestation is also influenced by the factor of wood. Wood is required, especially for building and construction. However, some human actions involve burning wood for charcoal. Other people practice deforestation to sell wood either legally or illegally. Finally, deforestation can be done with the intent of setting up manufacturing and processing industries. Most legal requirements demand that industries be placed far from towns because of the pollution caused.

Deforestation has multiple devastating effects that outweigh advantages such as human interest. Destruction of forests means the disturbing of terrestrial biodiversity that uses the areas as habitats. Besides, deforestation eliminates unique species of both plants and animals either directly or indirectly. The impacts made on biodiversity are the most commonly felt effect of deforestation (Harvey & Pilgrim, 2011). Besides, the action can affect how water vapor is produced and distributed to other regions around the forests. Trees attract water, and eliminating them would mean the destruction of watersheds. Besides, trees absorb carbon dioxide contents; therefore, mitigate various greenhouse gases that are emitted as a result of human activity. With climate change, trees encourage carbon sequestration and catch up with the excess carbon dioxide. Deforestation leads to the instability of gases in the environment. Besides, deforestation produces greenhouse gases, primarily when burning is implemented for the action.

Various strategies have been looked upon to address deforestation. Developing countries are aware of the effects of deforestation. Firstly, countries are considering finding alternatives to deforestation. This decreases the need for tree clearing. For instance, countries such as the US are encouraging the adoption of sustainable farming practices instead of expanding the amounts of land used for agriculture (Laurance, Sayer, & Cassman, 2014). This is a workable solution, as various technologies are being implemented. The Sustainable Forest Management Toolbox by UN emphasizes the disinterest in having more land for agriculture, such as aquaponics.

The restoration of forests through planting trees in the cleared areas is yet another strategy used to address deforestation. This also aligns with the need to allow the forest ecosystem to regenerate with time. However, this strategy is not effective as it does not act as a preventive measure but a solution that takes time to implement. Reforestation depends on the sooner the action is considered to have the ecosystem repair itself in the soonest time possible (Hyde, Amacher, & Magrath, 1996). For instance, the US Forest Service encourages the planting of trees to return forests to their original states or have forests developed newly. Other actions involve the purchasing of only certified wood products, support paperless activities, and reduce the consumption of products that take advantage of tree products such as palm oil. This strategy may deem effective, especially since it is a preventive measure that takes effect before deforestation.

Forest Management

Forest management can be regarded as the process involving planning and implementing strategies useful for stewardship and use of forests for multiple goals. Forest management is a broad concept as it integrates economic, administrative, legal, and social elements of control to maintain the existing forested areas. Forest management is practiced to advantage aspects such as aesthetics, recreation, urban values, as well as plants and wildlife. The practices with forest management encompass human interventions that involve human action to safeguard and maintain forest ecosystems. Various strategies that encourage sustainability are critical in forest management. Firstly, maintaining a stable forest land base is an essential aspect of forest management (Rametsteiner & Simula, 2003). The point of focus of the strategy is the emphasis that forests are irreplaceable. Therefore, humans are discouraged from altering forests as they cannot provide efficient substitutes. Human-created capital could also not work in replacing or maintain an already altered forest.

Secondly, forest management may involve the maintenance of a diverse forest size structure (Euforgen, 2016). This also accompanies the conservation of species composition within forests. As times are changing, forests also change and need to be maintained regularly. Besides, the change in forests is constantly affected by external factors such as insects, diseases, fire, and human actions. Some invasive plants also demand forest management. This strategy is important as maintaining a healthy forest can address any forms of disturbance before effects can be felt.

Finally, forest management can be done by maintaining or increasing forest biodiversity. The actions involved may comprise the sustaining of native plants and animals within a forest (Euforgen, 2016). Additionally, the genetic composition and diversity of biodiversity can be regularly checked upon. This strategy is workable, especially where habitats have been threatened with species extinction. Forest management is important as it can assist in the prevention of genetic erosion. Additionally, forest management is important to mitigate implications caused by climate change.

References

Euforgen. (2016). Why active forest management is necessary. Retrieved from http://www.euforgen....