What are invasive plant species impacts in the NC Sandhills?
Non-native invasive plants competitively displace native species, alter community structure and function by altering water, energy, nutrient and disturbance cycles, which can cause loss of biodiversity, increased soil erosion, and degradation of habitat. No studies have been conducted to measure non-native invasive plant species impacts in the NC Sandhills. However, several of studies have measured impacts elsewhere in the Southeast, indicating similar impacts are possible in the NC Sandhills. To date, 51 non-native invasive plant species have been documented in the region. Notable species capable of forming dense monocultures and causing major impacts include: Chinese tallowtree (Sapium sebiferum), multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), and Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), golden bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea), and Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum).
