The Need for NJ Natives

Did you know that our local South Mountain Reservation is suffering from a recurring issue that threatens hundreds of plants and animals? Invasive plant species are outcompeting and killing important native species, leading to many detrimental effects. However, you can make a simple and preventive change in your own yard that will help cause an end to this invasion.

Last summer, I shadowed Mike Van Clef, the Stewardship Director and Strike Team Program Director at Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space (FoHVOS,) a nonprofit land trust that works on protecting and preserving land around New Jersey (2). We went out to the South Mountain Reservation to collect data on the native and invasive plant species that can be found there. What we saw was concerning: invasive species were taking over what was once an abundant and healthy ecosystem of native plants.

Plants are one of the most important components of the food web - the biological structure that keeps us all thriving. The energy that all other animals obtain is through the consumption of plants, which are the only organisms that can convert light energy from the sun into other more usable forms of energy (5). To make sure that plants protect themselves and are able to reproduce before being eaten, they produce specific chemicals to become “untasty” to certain predators (5). This has evolved and been perfected over generations and thousands  of years: plants adapt to their environment to sustain their food webs; certain animals develop similar biological specializations, allowing them to overcome this chemical defense and digest those specific plants, thus continuing the food chain (5).

Native plant species spend decades growing and adapting to be able to thrive in their environment, and support all other life around them. Interestingly, scientists don’t consider all non-native plants as harmful, as long as they don't disrupt the highly intricate food webs (4). If invasives properly replace native plants without a loss of biodiversity and cause no harm to the biological cycles of primary producers, consumers, and apex predators, there can be minimal to no damage. However, this is only the case when an invasive plant is from the same family as the native plant they are “uprooting” (4). Particularly in New Jersey, though, the invasive species that are replacing natives are from Japan and other countries, which have different climates and environments. (4). Thus, in recent years, there has been a severe loss of biodiversity, as our local food chains cannot properly function with the absence of essential native species. 

While on our walk, we saw high levels of Chinese silvergrass and Japanese barberry throughout the reservation (3). Chinese silver grass is listed as “1” on the New Jersey Plant Action Code, a key used to measure the extent of the species infestation throughout the area. “1” means that an immediate eradication of the plant must occur. Japanese barberry is labeled as “2”, meaning selective control measures should be implemented (3). The data we collected will help other scientists see the hundreds of invasive plants that need to be removed, and fast, as there are already multiple, adverse consequences that can be seen.

One concern caused by the prevalence of non-native plants is the impact on the insect population. Insect herbivores are one of the main animals that provide plant energy to animals higher up on the food chain that do not directly consume primary producers, such as birds and other small animals (4,5). The foreign chemical makeup of local invasive species limits the energy flow from plants to insects to other animals, which can lead to the endangerment or even extinction of many species. Consequently, this also affects the local human population as we rely on these organisms and coexist in their environment. 

Another issue we observed is the presence of Beech Leaf Disease (BLD), which can be found across the United States and was easily identified all around South Mountain(1). Caused by a microscopic, worm-like organism known as a nematode, it infects beach trees, which are native to New Jersey, and results with their rapid decline and death. This lack of resilience can be correlated to the aggressive overtake of invasive plants, as they provide better habitats for the nematode to thrive (4). Other direct examples are the endangerment, and possible extinction, of many native plants, which have been consistent food and shelter to hundreds of other species.

The Importance of Our Lawns:

For decades the United States has converted a  large percentage of our nature into roads, cities and other man-made spaces (5). This predicts that eventually, most of the species that once lived in these ecosystems will disappear, unless America starts sharing their agricultural spaces to increase biodiversity (5). One simple fix is through suburban lawns, as they are one of our last chances to save millions of dying species (5). In New Jersey, suburban residents are continuously choosing ornamental varieties, which are plants that are chosen solely for their appearance and are generally from Europe and Asia (5). These are the plants that become invasive, as they migrate into local woodlands and fields, and end up outcompeting native plants. 

We need to make a simple switch and start planting native trees, bushes, and flowers. Even though FoHVOS and many other organizations are working relentlessly to destroy the invasives currently found in the reservations, they need local residents to stop planting invasives on their lawns. his will hopefully cease their regeneration after continuous removal attempts.  

Oaks are great examples of trees to plant, including a popular variety in New Jersey: The Northern Red Oak. Due to its large size it can provide immense amounts of shade. It’s also known for being one of the best trees to support necessary caterpillar species. Other tree species to consider planting include birch trees, willows, native cherry trees, and hickory trees. The most favorable herbaceous plant for lawns is the goldenrod, or solidago plant, which is part of the daisy family. Native species of sunflowers and evening primrose are other great examples of beautiful flora that support the environment around them. 

Some invasives to stay away from are English Ivy, bush honeysuckle, burning brush, porcelain berry and Callery pear. To effectively make this switch, make sure to carefully dig up the ornamental invasives in your lawn and place them in a pile. Leave them in this mound for at least a week for them to rot, then dispose of them. This will kill them and make sure they cannot spread anymore.  

Now that Spring has come, it’s the best time to start adding new flora to your yard. All you need are a few minutes to download plant identification apps like PlantNet and iNaturalist, research to see which species in your lawns are invasive, and use the same process to find native plants in local greenhouses or garden centers. Not only will you be spending time outside and nurturing a beautiful yard, you will also be making a serviceable impact on our natural spaces, saving hundreds of plants and animals. 

Margaret McManus is a senior at Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey, and is part of the Science Research Program. She will continue to research plants and animals at Trinity College where she will be studying Environmental Science. 

Resources

 Some places to find native NJ plants are:


Sources: 

  1. Beech Leaf Disease & Management Options. E376: Beech Leaf Disease & Management Options (Rutgers NJAES). (n.d.). https://njaes.rutgers.edu/E376/ 

  2. Mike van Clef. FoHVOS.org. (2024, February 21). https://www.fohvos.info/profile/mike-van-clef/ 

  3. Njconservation. (n.d.-a). https://www.njconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Wickecheoke_Plan_Appendices_2011_05_10.pdf 

  4. Non‐native plants reduce abundance, richness, and host specialization in Lepidopteran Communities - Burghardt - 2010 - ecosphere - wiley online library. (n.d.-b). https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1890/ES10-00032.1 

  5. Tallamy, D. (n.d.). Bringing nature home. Google Books. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=szK9uNKvTkQC&oi=fnd&pg=PA5&dq=info%3Avoaa8DvgpLIJ%3Ascholar.google.com&ots=HHs29I_q_T&sig=f4acM37PrNAWDkMG49Y6jrq0jOg#v=onepage&q&f=false 

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