Unveiling The Threat: Invasive Species Impacting North Dakota’s Ecosystem
North Dakota has many harmful invasive species, including aquatic nuisance species, noxious weeds, and forest pests.
Here are a few of the most impactful invasive species in the Peace Garden State.
Curly leaf pondweed
An invasive plant that can form dense mats that shade out native aquatic plants and make recreation difficult. It can be transported as plant fragments and is found in the Missouri River System and some isolated lakes in North Dakota.
Leafy spurge
Introduced in the early 1900s by European homesteaders, this plant infests over 1 million acres in North Dakota and has an economic impact of $87 million. It also destroys valuable grasslands, which puts the future of native wildlife at risk.
Gypsy moth
An invasive forest pest introduced from Europe, gypsy moth larvae can feed on up to 500 host species, including evergreens. They are spread long distances via egg masses laid on or in vehicles, especially on firewood carried from infested areas.
Dutch elm disease
Dutch elm disease is a fatal fungus disease that affects American elm trees and is caused by the fungus Ophiostoma novo-ulmi.
The fungus is often carried by elm bark beetles that feed on tree branches and twigs. It can also spread through root grafts, which are when the roots of adjacent trees grow together.
This disease has been confirmed to be present in North Dakota and is estimated to have killed over 100 million trees.
Purple loosestrife
Introduced in the 1800s as an ornamental and medicinal plant or ship ballast water, this wetland plant displaces native wetland plants and can be found along the Missouri Red, Sheyanne, and Mouse Rivers.
Get our free mobile app
Zebra mussels
Zebra mussels are an invasive, fingernail-sized mollusk that is native to fresh waters in Eurasia. Their name comes from the dark, zig-zagged stripes on each shell.
They have spread rapidly throughout the Great Lakes region and into the large rivers of the eastern Mississippi drainage.
They filter out the algae that native species need for food, and they attach to native mussels. Power plants must also spend millions of dollars removing zebra mussels from clogged water intakes.
What Grows Well in a Montana Garden?
Montana gardeners and beginners alike, have so many options when it comes to growing a decent garden in our difficult climate.
Gallery Credit: mwolfe
10 Unwritten Tips to Help New Motorcyclists to Cruise the Open Road
For some, the summer months are the only time to get on the back of two wheels and enjoy the open road. But before getting on the highway, there are some helpful tips that you might not know or have heard before. These are our favorite 10 from Motorcycle Habit that will benefit you for years of riding enjoyment.
Gallery Credit: JD Knight
More From 96.5 The Walleye
