clair084

Invasive plant species threatens shore plants, animals, dunes By TODD B. BATES Gannett New Jersey November 10, 2009 An invasive foreign plant is rapidly making inroads in New Jersey's critical dune systems, and Louise Wootton wants to stop it in its tracks. Asiatic sand sedge ( Carex kobomugi ) — a "scruffy little plant" — threatens to take over the habitat of endangered and threatened species, such as the piping plover, according to Wootton, a biology professor at Georgian Court University in Lakewood. The sedge also can result in lower dunes, lessening their ability to protect communities from flooding, Wootton said. "It changes the ecosystem completely," she said. The Brick resident has enlisted about 25 students from Georgian Court, Marine Academy of Science and Technology on Sandy Hook and Brookdale Community College in Middletown to help study the sedge, map its extent and study ways to get rid of it. She wants government permission to begin eradicating th...

Updated 3/26/09 -------------------------------------------------------- Birds in Freefall Living on Earth - http://www.loe.org/ A new large-scale report finds roughly a quarter of all American bird species, in a variety of habitats, are in decline. But there are a few bright spots that point to potential for a turnaround. Living on Earth’s Jeff Young went visit Conn Island in the Potomac River and has our story... ...YOUNG: So what's the role of exotic invasives and bird populations? MEHLMAN: Exotics or invasive species are one of the top threats to biodiversity of all kinds worldwide including birds. Non-native plants come in and can totally alter habitat type so it's unsuitable for use by birds and other wildlife. YOUNG: The report shows invasive species, habitat loss and fragmentation, pesticides and disease all taking a tremendous toll on birds... See the full story at Link -------------------------------------------------------- Wilmington, Delaware CBP outruns invasive b...

Happy New Year! Blog updated 12/31 -------------------------------------------------------- Rhode Island town to control sand sedge The Associated Press, Published: December 29, 2008 MIDDLETOWN, R.I.—Middletown is planning to eradicate a species of invasive beach grass from Sachuest Beach that could cause erosion and weaken dunes. Town Administrator Shawn Brown tells The Newport Daily News that the areas affected by sand sedge will be sprayed with a herbicide in the spring, well before the start of beach season. Brown says the sand sedge [likely to be Carex kobomugi ] has choked out the native species in some areas. The sand sedge was discovered earlier this year by a researcher working on an unrelated project. Town officials and experts have been investigating various potential solutions since then. Officials are not sure how the Asian species arrived in town. The town received approval for the removal plan from the Coastal Resources Management Council. Link --------------------------...