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Invasive plant: one which spreads aggressively, grows rapidly, and displaces other native plants
– A species that is non-native to the ecosystem – Causes or is likely to cause ecologic or economic harm to plant communities (diversity, abundance, structure), wildlife habitat, nutrient cycling and other ecosystem function Invasive Plant Characteristics make them more competitive than natives. • Wide site tolerances (shade, moisture, soils) • Leaf out earlier in spring and shed later in fall • Few, if any, native controls: insects, disease, herbivores, and other plants The Allegheny Plateau Invasive Plant Management Area (APIPMA) is a new group addressing invasive plant problems and solutions across a five county geographic area. Agency staff from a variety of federal, state, and local organizations, non-profit groups, community organizations, and concerned citizens partner with the goals of outreach & training, inventory-monitoring and mapping, early detection & rapid response, and control of invasive plants affecting local ecosystems. Volunteer training is available. The group is led by Dr. Kimberly Bohn, Forestry Educator with Penn State Extension, Jody Groshek, Communications & Outreach Director and Maddie Stanisch, Resource Specialist; in cooperation with a steering committee of committed partners. |
APIPMA: Allegheny Plateau Invasive Plant Management Area
The McKean County Conservation District is part of a five county cooperative group working to address invasive plant problems across a larger landscape. APIPMA provides educational outreach, trains volunteers, identifies and maps plant infestations, and works to achieve control to protect ecosystems. Japanese Knotweed (below) is one of five priority invasive plant species for APIPMA 
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Invasive honeysuckle shrub (Lonicera spp.) Forest understory containing invasive shrubs (honeysuckle, barberry)
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Key problem invasive plants in McKean County:
Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) Bush honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarian, Lonicera morrowii) Glossy buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) Goat's rue (Galega Officinalis) Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii ) Visit PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources website for plant fact sheets with control information. PA DCNR Invasive Plants in Pennsylvania |
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