LDI-Friendly Landscaping
Invasive plant species have become a source of problems that have grown more serious in the past twenty years. The increase of invasive plants in the region has increased risk to ecological systems, public health and public safety. Land stewards in our region are responding to issues with invasives that include the following:
- Early dense foliage of invasive plants blocks light, preventing any ground cover and crowding out native plants and degrading quality of local ecology with lower plant diversity, lower value food sources and altered cover for wildlife.
- Invasive plants will impede regeneration of woodlots by altering soil chemistry, disrupting plant succession, damaging tree structures, and limiting native plant diversity.
- While often introduced as part of erosion control programs, invasive plants' shallow roots have proven them to be undesirable for use in soil stabilization.
- Invasive plants lower surrounding water quality by increasing soil erosion versus areas with more native plants and shrubs.
- Invasive plants degrade habitat for birds by exposing nests to increase predation and by providing food sources of lower value versus native plant species.
- Invasive plants support dramatically fewer insects than native plants, lessening the food supply for many birds.
- Invasive plants are found to carry many more ticks infected with Lyme Disease than is true with native plants.
- Invasive plants can cause undergrowth to die out, creating increased fuel sources for wildfires.
9 Principles of LDI Friendly Landscaping
- Plant Native Plants: Right Plant, Right Place
- Mulch
- Fertilize Appropriately
- Recycle: Clynk Returnable Bottles
- Protect the Shoreline
- Attract Wildlife
- Pass On Your Knowledge to Others
- Water Efficiently
- Enjoy & Have Fun
Resources
Gardening to Conserve Maine’s Native Landscape: Plants to Use and Plants to Avoid
Maine Natural Areas Program
Oceanside Conservation Trust of Casco Bay
Cushing Island Conservation Corporation
Maine Natural Areas Program
Oceanside Conservation Trust of Casco Bay
Cushing Island Conservation Corporation
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