Why does the refuge remove non-native invasive plants?
As people moved into Florida, they brought non-native plants with them to landscape their property. Some of these plants escaped cultivation and became established in the natural areas of Florida. Several of the most prolific species on the refuge are Brazilian peppertree, melaleuca, cogon grass, and old-world climbing fern. These species are extremely invasive and can limit or prevent native plants from growing in natural areas. Large acreages of these invasive plants change the fire regime of the area, reducing fire in some cases and increasing its destructive effects in other circumstances. Non-native plants also degrade wildlife habitat. By removing these plants from the environment through the use of mechanical removal, herbicides, or biological means (e.g. release of specific insects that parasitize or consume a specific plant species), vegetative communities are improved for wildlife.
