Why is kudzu a threat?
The introduction of exotic species to a natural area is the greatest threat to the biodiversity of native ecosystems according to many ecologists. As an exotic species in the US, kudzu is not only inherently capable of thriving in various topographies in even the poorest soils except those that are poorly drained, but it has not coevolved with any insect species in this country that would maintain an ecological balance as is the case in Japan and China. The prolific vine is therefore able to out compete native vegetation without confronting debilitating insect attacks, invading and overcoming the habitat of native vegetation that fill an essential and often not fully understood role in the ecosystem and that frequently can not be found in any other ecosystem in the world. Human disturbance derived from development and the consequences of road construction is the leading mechanism for the spread of exotic species into native ecosystems both globally and regionally.
