Invasive Species Control
Managing Abundance • Enhancing the Laguna • General Management Philosphy
Biological diversity is the foundation to a stable ecosystem. Where there are plant communities with large numbers of native species, there are healthy and diverse populations of animals and insects; and having a diversity of native animal and insect species helps maintain a diverse plant community. The plants support the animals, and the animals help keep dominant plants in check, providing a measure of stability to ecosystems. Indigenous species are much more likely to have evolved ecological relationships with predators and competitors that make them better able to coexist with a broad range of species. Exotics, released from their specialized natural enemies, have fewer restraints.
Managing Abundance
However, exotic species are not inherently a problem for land management - only a small number that are introduced become "naturalized," or free-living outside of cultivation. Of these, only a fraction spread to become dominant members of the ecosystem. While it would be unrealistic to assume that we can or should restore the Laguna to a community of entirely native species, the best way to protect biodiversity is manage the abundance of invasively-spreading plants and animals, whether these species are native or introduced.
Enhancing the Laguna
Enhancing the Laguna by removing invasive plants, by planting native plants, by recontouring man-made water channels, and by reducing water pollutants, is a fundamental goal of the area’s citizens. Caring for the Laguna, by monitoring for changes, by wisely stewarding the land, by educating our children, by studying the ecological processes of the Laguna, and by enacting public policy, goes hand-in-hand with enhancement activities. Restoring and managing the Laguna—Enhancing and Caring for the Laguna—are complementary sets of activities that together will strengthen the Laguna’s ability to reach a balanced state of flux and resiliency.
The entire management plan is available on the Laguna Knowledgebase as a series of downloadable PDF documents. This two volume report is also available in our gift shop. If you prefer to pay by check, please download or print this order form brochure.
General Management Philosophy
The primary focus for restoration and management in the Laguna is to enhance populations of desirable plant and animal species in order to maintain or restore ecosystem processes such as water recharge and purification, soil retention, and biological diversity. Controlling weedy plants and animals is a necessary part of land management, but the fundamental goal is to increase the ability of the Laguna’s ecosystems to resist invasion by weedy species, and to prevent the introduction of new weeds.
Prioritization for weed control activities is based on actual and potential impacts to native species and communities, especially when weeds threaten species at risk of extinction. Studies have shown that the cost of controlling invasive species increases exponentially as with the size of the infestation, and the likelihood of successful control declines. Therefore, it is best to take a precautionary approach, placing the highest priority on controlling small populations of aggressive species, even before their impacts become apparent.
________________________________________________ For more information, contact Brent Reed, Stewardship Director
by email or calling (707) 527-9277 x 101[ top ]
. Banner Image by Jerry Dodrill
