Why are invasive plants suddenly a problem?
The invasive plant problem is not new, but the problem is accelerating. Historically, Maine’s landscape has not been ravaged to the same degree as most other New England states. However, our good fortune will be short-lived if invasive plants continue to spread unchecked through our state. Where do invasive plants come from? About two-thirds of known invaders have been imported for ornamental and landscape plantings, including Japanese barberry, oriental bittersweet, Russian olive, Eurasian milfoil, purple loosestrife, and others. Other species have arrived as stowaways: Japanese stilt grass is used in packaging from Japan, and mile-a-minute weed is transported in soil. What problems do invasive plants cause? Invasive plants outcompete native species and agricultural crops, causing billions of dollars of damage each year. Invasive species are the second greatest threat to global biodiversity, after loss of habitat. Invading plants change animal habitat by eliminating native foods, alte
