Invasive, Non-native Plant Monitoring at Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Garlic Mustard along a stream at Cuyahoga Valley NP.

NPS-Photo

Cuyahoga Valley National Park provides a recreation area for residents of the greater Cleveland-Akron area. The park also supports many natural areas. These areas include springs, streams, forests, meadows, and wetlands
.
Many invasive, non-native plants grow within these natural areas. In this study, we found 61 non-native, invasive plants. These are plants that have not historically grown in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Human activity brought these plants to the park from other locations, including other continents.

Park grid map depicting amount of garlic mustard detected across Cuyahoga Valley NP.

NPS

Invasive, non-native plants such as bush honeysuckle, European privet, garlic mustard, Japanese barberry, and multiflora rose are commonly seen in the park’s forests. In wetlands, typical non-native, invasive plants include common reed and Japanese knotweed, as well as narrow-leaved and hybrid cattails. Nepalese browntop and crownvetch are two species that appear to be expanding in the park.

While the park strives to support native plants and limit the introduction of invasive, non-native plants, these species will continue to be part of park ecosystems. In certain areas, park managers may control these plants to limit their spread or to maintain unique habitats. These projects may involve the careful use of herbicides, cutting, or fire. Through the introduction and control of invasive, non-native plants, humans continue to shape the park environment.

View the full report. (pdf)

Learn more about the Heartland Inventory & Monitoring Network.



Data in this report were collected and analyzed using methods based on established, peer-reviewed protocols and were analyzed and interpreted within the guidelines of the protocols.