![]() “Simply put, species depend on one another for survival,” Malvitz-Draper says. And in a broader sense, biodiversity is essential. Malvitz-Draper says that keeping invasive species in check preserves and enhances Michigan’s natural areas, making them more enjoyable for visitors. Garlic mustard is allelopathic, meaning it secretes a chemical into the soil through its root system that hinders other plants from growing-including native wildflowers and other plants that serve as food for native insects and animals. She explained how the plant threatens native plant species, and how one garlic mustard plant can spread thousands of seeds-and those seeds can remain viable for up to 12 years in the seed bank (where they are stored in the soil). Photo by Allison Torres Burtka.Īt a recent workday at Highland Recreation Area in White Lake, Malvitz-Draper led a team of volunteers in pulling garlic mustard, a non-native invasive plant from Europe, out of the ground in wooded areas. “By removing invasive plants, we seek to restore balance to ecosystems so they can provide their normal functions or ecosystem services and provide habitat for a diverse array of native flora and fauna.” “When an invasive plant moves in, it really disrupts the balance of an ecosystem.” Invasive plants can outcompete native plants for nutrients and moisture in the soil, which causes “ripple effects to insects, birds, and animals,” she says. ![]() “In Michigan, we have a lot of really nice, high-quality natural areas within our state parks,” says DNR Natural Resource Steward Laurel Malvitz-Draper, who manages the program in southeast Michigan. The program holds about 200 workdays per year. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Volunteer Steward Program puts volunteers to work, typically removing invasive species, planting native species, and collecting native seed. At 20 state parks and recreation areas across southern Michigan, groups of volunteer stewards regularly roll up their sleeves to help protect and restore natural areas.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |