The Benzie Conservation District is working hard to increase the awareness of the number of invasive species that have invaded terrestrial, wetland, and aquatic habitats in Benzie County. In addition to education, we are leading the effort to inventory, monitor, and control invasive species. The District has formed partnerships with other area organizations and agencies to accomplish these ends.
It is important for Benzie residents and visitors to be aware of issues surrounding invasive species and take an active role in avoiding their introduction and spread. It is vital that our residents collaborate with the District on controlling these invaders.
Woodland flower is crowded out by invasive garlic mustard
Invasives have a large impact on natural habitats in our community. They can alter the food web, change the chemical makeup of the water or soil, and permanently alter our landscapes. They compete with native species for habitat and food supplies. Invasives evolved with different predators, which are often absent here. Therefore our native species cannot compete against the invaders and are crowded out. This change in the balance of native ecosystems allows the non-natives to proliferate and take over.
Invasive species can be found almost anywhere, including terrestrial, wetland, and aquatic habitats. Some of our common invasive plants include garlic mustard (terrestrial), phragmites (wetland), and Eurasian water-milfoil (aquatic). Invasive insects include the emerald ash borer, beech scale (a component of beech bark disease), and Asian long-horned beetle. Invasive aquatic animals include the zebra mussel (a mollusk), quagga mussel (a mollusk), and round goby (a fish). These aquatic invasives have drastically affected the Great Lakes ecosystem, and threaten to invade our inland lakes as well. Thankfully, only the zebra mussel has been found in Benzie inland lakes to date. Asian carps species are a potential invader to the Great Lakes on our doorstep.
Invasives cost us. They cost us through direct management and decreased productivity. It is estimated that control in the U.S. is about 120 billion dollars annually.
The Benzie Conservation District currently collaborates with the Northwest Michigan Cooperative Weed Management Area and the Grand Traverse Regional Invasive Species Network on the inventory, monitoring, and control of invasive plants.