Invasive Species
Many Invasive species pose a threat to the continued survival of the native plant life, at camp catalpa. The two most prevalent invasive species are the Bush Honeysuckle and the Roughleaf Dogwood. Several species have been negatively impacted by the continued presence of the invasive Bush Honeysuckle and Roughleaf Dogwood. The Bush Honeysuckle produces a toxin, which is released into the soil that inhibits the growth of other species. Bush Honeysuckle and Roughleaf Dogwood are shade tolerant species. There are many species that are shade intolerant, which cannot grow under canopy of the bush honeysuckle. This has resulted in the thinning out of the native species, such as the Catalpa tree. This trend is indicated by the importance value
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In order to preserve the native species at Camp Catalpa it is imperative that through a collaboration of Eastern Kentucky University and the city of Richmond work together to greatly reduce the negative effects of invasive species in our forest. The best way to help reduce the overpopulation is by encouraging community involvement. One such way, would be to start with students. This can be achieved by having students go into the forest and removed and treat the stumps and saplings, like the aforementioned research by, Schulz. While this would be effective in reducing the amount of invasive overgrowth at Camp Catalpa, there is a risk for re-infestation. According to Schulz, there is a risk for re-infestation as long as the contributing factors to the initial infestation are present. As he points out, that in their research they observed much older Bush Honeysuckle specimens on the outer edge of forest. This indicates a possible distribution of seeds through the excrement’s of wildlife from ornamentals in surrounding suburbs (2012). This is where it is important to encourage community involvement, and encourage residents to re-place their invasive ornamentals with native species. This can be done through educating residents on the importance of controlling these invasive species, and perhaps educating them on native alternatives to their beloved
In order to preserve the native species at Camp Catalpa it is imperative that through a collaboration of Eastern Kentucky University and the city of Richmond work together to greatly reduce the negative effects of invasive species in our forest. The best way to help reduce the overpopulation is by encouraging community involvement. One such way, would be to start with students. This can be achieved by having students go into the forest and removed and treat the stumps and saplings, like the aforementioned research by, Schulz. While this would be effective in reducing the amount of invasive overgrowth at Camp Catalpa, there is a risk for re-infestation. According to Schulz, there is a risk for re-infestation as long as the contributing factors to the initial infestation are present. As he points out, that in their research they observed much older Bush Honeysuckle specimens on the outer edge of forest. This indicates a possible distribution of seeds through the excrement’s of wildlife from ornamentals in surrounding suburbs (2012). This is where it is important to encourage community involvement, and encourage residents to re-place their invasive ornamentals with native species. This can be done through educating residents on the importance of controlling these invasive species, and perhaps educating them on native alternatives to their beloved