The wildlands of Irvine, California are home to a variety of native and non-native plant species, some of which are considered invasive. Invasive plants can cause significant damage to the environment due to their environmental plasticity, meaning they can thrive in a variety of habitats. To combat the damage caused by these species, it's important for land managers, volunteer managers, conservationists, and other interested parties to understand them. One of the most concerning invasive species in Irvine is rhizomes.
Rhizomes are easily detached and moved downstream, allowing them to re-root and enlarge their colonies. This can lead to hydrological problems and habitat loss. The California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) has identified 78 species of non-native plants that are of most ecological concern in California. To help combat the damage caused by these species, it's important for land managers and other interested parties to understand their biology and control methods.
For example, rhizomes can be controlled by removing them from the soil or by using herbicides. Additionally, land managers should consider using physical barriers such as fences or mulch to prevent rhizomes from spreading. When exploring new wilderness areas in Irvine, especially in humid canyons, it's important to record any detections of native vegetation with Calflora or iNaturalist. This will help land managers better understand the impact of invasive species on the environment.
Additionally, land managers should consider implementing preventative measures such as planting native vegetation or using physical barriers to reduce the spread of invasive species. Invasive plant species can cause significant damage to the environment if left unchecked. It's important for land managers, volunteer managers, conservationists, and other interested parties to understand their biology and control methods in order to protect Irvine's wildlands from further damage. By recording detections of native vegetation with Calflora or iNaturalist and implementing preventative measures such as planting native vegetation or using physical barriers, we can help protect our wildlands from invasive species.
