Control of NATL's Invasive Plants
Below are five species that pose the greatest threat to NATL's ecosystems.
You can help preserve the integrity of NATL's ecosystems by reporting any sightings of these species!
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Current Control Efforts
Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) continues to be the most common invasive species in NATL and has been the primary target of our invasive management in 2023. Patches are being continuously treated with herbicide in the old field and upland pine sections of NATL, with some hand pulling in upland pine areas with dense, well developed native groundcover. In these same sensitive areas of upland pine, routine prescribed fire has been a helpful tool in removing guinea grass without long term damage to the native plant community. These treatments have been generally effective at suppressing guinea grass, but resurgence has been high in the academic upland pine section north of the gas line trail. This area has a large store of guinea grass seeds stored in the soil and will need continuous management for several years to deplete the seed bank before eradication is possible.
A patch of sweet tanglehead grass (Heteropogon melanocarpus) was identified in the northwest portion of the upland pine habitat this year and was completely removed by hand pulling. Coral ardisia is still present in NATL, but in reduced abundance and distribution than in previous years. Currently, coral ardisia is limited to the north and south sides of the gas line trail within the upland hardwood hammock. Less attention has been given to ardisia in recent months due to reduced numbers and visibility, but it should be revisited and treated before the end of 2024 to prevent resurgence.
Other previously identified threats which are still under management include climbing fig (Ficus pumila) and escaped houseplants from the buildings bordering NATL’s South Trail. These houseplants include arrowhead (Syngonium podophyllum), pothos, and English ivy as well as a commonly seen Gainesville invasive, Tradescantia sp. Our management efforts are proving to be successful, with limited resprouts and few surviving plants after herbicide application. Despite effective removal, the apartments serve as a consistent source for reintroduction of these species from outside of NATL, and the southern border of NATL will require continued attention.
Top Florida Invasive Species Council (FISC) Category 1 plants which have been found in NATL include: cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica), coral ardisia (Ardisia crenata), skunk vine (Paederia foetida), air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera), Japanese climbing fern (Lygodium japonicum), camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora), wild taro (Colocasia esculenta), mimosa (Albizia julibrissin), shrub verbena (Lantana strigocamara), invasive tradescantia, glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum), arrowhead vine (Syngonium podophyllum), and Caesar’s weed (Urena lobata). Category 2 plants include, but are not limited, to Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus).
- History of Control Efforts
We would like to acknowledge all those who dedicated time to help manage invasive species in NATL including friends, volunteers, staff, students, and faculty. In particular, the following people have been instrumental in the management of invasive species, particularly plants, in NATL throughout the years. This includes but is not limited to: Thomas Walker, Ken Prestwich, Erick Smith, Chris Benson, Kevin Ratkus, Robert Guggenheim, Ethan Carter, Jessica Hong, Brittany Evans, James Brown, and Gage LaPierre.