Invasives
What is an invasive plant?
Though there are many definitions, a useful one is: a non-native species capable of moving aggressively into an area, monopolizing light, nutrients, water, and space to the detriment of native species.
Why should we care?
Many of the familiar plants in our gardens, fields and forests aren't native to New Hampshire. While the majority cause no harm to natural habitat or managed farms and forests, many do. Invasive species can: reduce biodiversity; imperil rare species; reduce wildlife habitat by eliminating native foods, altering cover and destroying nesting sites; degrade water quality; reduce forest and agricultural crop production; and cause health problems.
The law governing invasive species
There are 35 plant species banned in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire law (RSA 430: 53-57) and the rule are enforced by the NH Commissioner of Agriculture and prohibits the collection, possession, importation, transportation, sale, propagation, transplantation or cultivation of the banned plants. The NH Invasives Species Committee advises the Commissioner.
What can you do?
1. Learn more about the problem.
- Managing Invasive Plants in Our Yard...In Our Neighborhood...In Our Watershed
- What is an invasive and why should we care?
2. Learn to identify them.
- Guide to Invasive Upland Plant Species in NH
- Field Guide: An Ecological Perspective of Plant Invaders of Forests
- Supplement to Field Guide: An Ecological Perspective of Plant Invaders of Forests
- Weeds of the Week
3. Use native plants in your landscape, garden and conservation projects.
- Alternatives to Invasive Landscape Plants (or this version)
- Integrating Landscaping: Following Nature's Lead
- NH State Forest Nursery (to purchase native seedlings)
- New England Wildflower Society (to purchase native plants)
4. Remove invasives from your property.
- Identifying and Controlling Non-native Invasive Plants
- Control of invasives in your backyard
- Control of invasives on your woodlot
- Controlling Invasive Species in Woodlots
- Best Management Practices for Roadside Invasive Plants (a manual by the NH Department of Transportation)
5. Don't spread invasives when you dispose of them.
Other websites to visit
- Forest Service
- Invasive Plant Atlas of New England (IPANE)
- Invasive Plants
- NH Invasives Species Program
- NRCS Plant Database
- Piscataquog Watershed Association
- USDA Invasive Species
Links to other New England states
