A Field Guide to Invasive Plants

March 26, 2012

An invaluable resource for professionals and amateurs alike, A Field Guide to Invasive Plants of Aquatic and Wetland Habitats for Michigan includes photos and descriptions of 47 invasive plant species. Funded by DNRE - Water Bureau as part of a broader research project, the field guide is now available for download below. Aquatic and wetland species are included, along with a number of upland species that commonly venture into wetland habitats.

With the longest freshwater coastline in the United States, over 11,000 inland lakes, and extensive wetlands, Michigan is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of invasive plants. They pose a significant threat to Michigan’s aquatic and wetland resources and their impacts are wide-ranging.

Invasive plants reduce overall plant and animal diversity, destroy critical biological resources such as fish nursery habitat, simplify natural communities, reduce property values, restrict fishing, boating and other recreational opportunities, and necessitate large public and private expenditures to mitigate their spread.

The guide is organized into two major sections:

  • a pictorial key; and
  • species accounts.

Species accounts include common and scientific names, photographs, legal restrictions where applicable, a brief description of each plant’s characteristics, habitat information, dispersal modes and the best times for survey. The guide also includes an introductory section with monitoring guidance.

 

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