Kudzu One Of Multiple Invasive Lianas Heading North - Now Abundant In New Jersey - Science Daily

[hatrack]

EDIT

More than 80 non-native liana species have invaded North America. Kudzu is joined by English ivy, Japanese honeysuckle and oriental bittersweet, to name a few. Oriental bittersweet is expanding in North American forests, where it has reduced native tree survival.

After hurricane damage in a Florida forest, invasive lianas rapidly colonized the damaged trees and persisted for many years afterward, reducing numbers of native trees, shrubs and herbs. In 50-year-old forests in the Piedmont region of New Jersey, lianas are now abundant.

"A major factor limiting liana abundance in temperate forests is freezing temperatures," says Schnitzer. "Both native and invasive lianas are likely to increase most rapidly in forests that don't have long, cold winters."

For snow-birds--both avian and human--who escape to tropical climes each winter, a strangler-free paradise may be in the woods they left behind.

EDIT/END

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110325111853.htm

[HereSince1628]

1. Feral grapes are spreading even in cold climates like Wisconsin

and in many ways they are just as suffocating to native species.

[JackintheGreen]

4. Feral grapes?

[HereSince1628]

6. yep, aggressive vines...almost as nasty as prickly ash.

[JackintheGreen]

7. That's more than unfortunate.

I hadn't some across them before, and every grapevine I've ever experienced has been a labor just to sustain. The people who want grapes have to work like a bastard just to keep them viable (in my experience). Is the fruit at least usable? That would give it points over prickly ash or kudzu.

[HereSince1628]

8. The grapes aren't worthy of human consumption but birds love them

and consequently spread seeds all over god's creation.

[NickB79]

13. Wild grapes make great jelly. NT

[NickB79]

12. Are you sure they are non-native? There are numerous wild grapes native to the Midwest

Even being natives, though, they will overrun trees from time to time.

[Blue_In_AK]

2. More on warming here

http://www.adn.com/2011/03/27/1778191/warming-brings-unwelcome-change.html

Inupiat Eskimo villagers in the Chukchi Sea village of Kivalina rely on wild animals to survive, but a recent arrival associated with climate warming is causing health concerns.

Beavers have colonized the Wulik River, Kivalina's main source for water. Beaver feces carry a microscopic protozoa that can cause giardia, known to campers elsewhere in Alaska as "beaver fever." Diarrhea and vomiting are symptoms. Kivalina hunters using the Wulik as a corridor to inland caribou herds have been warned to boil water before drinking it.

Beavers are among the unwelcome changes associated with climate change, said Michael Brubaker, lead author of reports documenting how two northwest villages have been affected. The appearance of North America's largest rodent was a signal that a traditional water source had changed.

"It's a new health issue," Brubaker said. "It affects people's behavior. It can affect people's health and it also affects the cost of running water facilities."



Read more: http://www.adn.com/2011/03/27/1778191/warming-brings-unwelcome-change.html#ixzz1HurhCa8w

[xchrom]

3. Cage match: Snooki v. Kudzu. Nt

[Mojorabbit]

5. Someone ought to harvest it

Kudzu is edible and is used in Chinese medicine for it's properties. Someone with an entrepreneur spirit might be able to make some easy cash harvesting and processing it. There are all manner of invasives here in Florida. I am in a constant fight with the brazilian pepper in my yard.

[NickB79]

14. The tuberous roots are the most edible, nutritious part

And in order to harvest that, you'd need to dig up the land. I don't think that's going to save the forests, unfortunately.

[Mojorabbit]

15. The leaves are edible

http://www.food.com/recipe/stuffed-kudzu-leaves-94180
http://www.dvo.com/recipe_pages/deepfried/Deep_Fried_Kudzu_Leaves.html
http://www.kudzufest.net/kudzueat.html
http://www.southernangel.com/food/kudzurcp.html
Tea can be made from the leaves also.
I think it would take a good advertising blitz but I think it would be doable. It would be worth a try.

[XemaSab]

9. I am bullish on Kudzu. It's going places!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x4465947

[pscot]

10. Perfect

That's all New Jersey needed.

[WheelWalker]

11. I think it's a species like poison oak that desperately appreciates > atmospheric CO2