What are exotic invasive plant species?
An exotic, invasive species is not native to an area and displaces native species. Take kudzu as an example: a highly vigorous and adaptive species from Japan, kudzu brought to stabilize slopes now pours down hillsides, choking out native plants by blocking light and using up soil nutrients and water. Over time, exotic invasive species such as kudzu change plant communities and sometimes entire ecosystems. How big is the problem? Where do exotic plants come from? In the Great Smoky Mountains, scientists have counted 350 exotic plant species. They come from a few sources: • Pre-Park home-site landscaping • Gravel and topsoil brought into the park • Visitors’ shoes, tires, and floormats • Animal and wind deposition, especially following fires in the park Of the 350 species, the park actively controls 50—the ones that are exotic AND invasive. These include kudzu, multiflora rose, coltsfoot, and garlic mustard, plants that will take over native species’ habitat and thereby alter the food c
