Not Knotweed!

Recently in our History of the Adirondacks course we've talked about how immigrants (mostly from Europe) sought community and work in the mines and other growing industries in the Adirondacks. However, we have neglected to mention that not all foreigners are of the human species. While the number of invasive species in Adirondack ecosystems has continued to increase with the increased presence of humans, some noxious species are more harmful on the local environment than others. In particular, one plant species known to the scientific community as Fallopia japonica, or more commonly as Japanese knotweed, has become a huge problem in Adirondack communities.

Girl standing in front of patch of Japanese Knotweed

Native to Asia, Japanese Knotweed is a highly aggressive invasive species that was brought to North America as an ornamental houseplant. As an invasive species, Japanese Knotweed spreads rapidly, crowding out native and disturbing the local ecosystems that it enters. Ironically in 1847, the Society of Agriculture and Horticulture at Utrecht, Holland named Japanese Knotweed the "most interesting new ornamental plant of the year." [1]. Today, the World Conservation union has placed it on the world's 100 worse invaders list [2].

This freshwater species is quick to spread, growing from small fragments of rhizomes instead of seeds. Therefore, if someone is unsuccessful in digging up Japanese Knotweed, the root fragments left behind can grow into new individual plants. It is such a successful invader that transported soil that contains root fragments may allow the spread of this plant to new, previously unaffected areas. Japanese Knotweed invasion has been confirmed in 39 out of 50 American states.

Japanese Knotweed has become more prominent along rivers and roads in the Adirondack Park, but the plant's range is relatively small in the Adirondacks compared with other areas of New York State. Regardless, Japanese Knotweed is taking over pristine trout rivers and fisheries and killing off local, native species. 

Fortunately, in 2008, a group of botanists and environmental enthusiasts created the Regional Inlet Invasive Plant Program (RIIPP) to combat Japanese Knotweed [3]. Using stem injection guns, individual plants are poisoned with herbicide in order to reduce the impact of herbicide on the surrounding environment. With it's success, RIIPP has branched out to sites like Piseco, Lake Placid, Old Forge, Speculator, and Blue Mountain. Additionally, Adirondack locals form the Japanese Knotweed Management Summit to help spread ideas and awareness about this pesky species. 

Injection of herbicide into stem of Japanese Knotweed

Clearly Japanese Knotweed is not good for the native plants and animals in the Adirondacks. However, if it is so successful in this environment (and considered pretty enough to be used as an ornamental plant), for what reasons should we attempt to remove Japaneese Knotweed from the environment? Are we obligated to remove it, considering this species wouldn't be here without humans having brought it to North America? Does it go against our fundamental morals as environmentalists to destroy a species simply because it wasn't there before humans were? All of there are questions to consider when dealing with invasive species.

Sources:

[1]: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/japanese-knotweed-everything-you-ever-4328310

[2]; http://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/page/content.detail/id/538305.html

[3]: http://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2013/09/bolton-unparalleled-japanese-knotweed-infestation.html