Invasive Species

An invasive species is a plant, animal, or any other organism that causes ecological or economic harm in a new environment where it is not native. Not all new species are therefore defined as invasive. Invasive plants in Eaton include Black swallow-wort (Cynanchum louiseae), Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), and Spotted knapweed (Centaurea biebersteinii). The Eaton Conservation Commission is actively working to prevent the establishment of invasive aquatic species in local lakes and ponds.

Black swallow-wort, Garlic mustard, Japamese knotweek, and Spotted knapweed

Problems are anticipated in the near future from the emerald ash borer and the wooly adelgid. Native to East Asia, the emerald ash borer larvae feed on the cambium layer beneath the bark and can kill a tree by girdling it. Hemlock wooly adelgid adults pierce the stem at the base of needles, sucking out nutrients eventually killing trees through loss of needles. Both of these insect species have been expanding their range. The wooly adelgid is already found in Eaton and the ash borer is expected in the next several years.

Emerald ash borer and Hemlock wooly adelgid

The map below shows potential priority areas for invasive plant management. The darkness of each area is based a combinaiton of areas of high ecological significance, areas that provide ecological services to human activities, and areas that, if invasive plants are present, have a higher risk of spreading. The darker the area the more likely management will both prevent invasive plant spread to new areas and protect critically sensitive natural resources.

Sources

For information on managing invasive plants: https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/wildlife-and-habitat/wildlife-habitat-program/picking-our-battles