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Invasive species are species that can take over native habitats, causing degradation of native ecosystems and a variety of associated problems. Invasive species can alter ecological relationships among native species and can affect ecosystem function, economic value of ecosystems, and human health (source).
Some of the most common invasive species in Minnesota’s woods include buckthorn and garlic mustard. Others that might not come to mind are Dutch elm disease and Gypsy moth. All of these species are non-native. Download Invasive Plant Species of Minnesota Forests (large PDF: 2.5MB).
Once invasives get well established in a woodland, they can be extremely difficult to eradicate.
What can you do as a landowner to keep invasives out of your property?
- Get to know common invasives by sight. You can find identification guides to common invasive species in the links at right.
- If you find invasives in your woods, act quickly to control or eradicate them. The links at right include excellent guides to controlling common invasives.
- Talk to your neighbors and others, and help them keep invasives out too. If your neighbor’s land is infested, you’ll have to work that much harder to keep invasives out of your land.
- Report outbreaks of new invasives in your area. For woodland invasives, your best first contact is your DNR Forestry area office.
Once a species like buckthorn is well established in your woods, it can be almost impossible to eradicate. Act quickly to keep invasives out!
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| For information about forest health issues by cover type, visit the following pages |
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