Invasive Plants
Sep 10, 2023, 10:29 PM
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Most of the River Walk Trail is located on land owned by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Much of this land was previously cleared for farming or by the Tennessee Valley Authority during the construction of Hiwassee Lake in the 1940s. The land was later left idle, and over the years, a variety of plants reestablished themselves in the landscape where the River Walk now exists.
Many of the plants that returned were native species important to the delicate river bottom ecosystem of the valley. However, at the same time, many non-native plants were introduced to the area by humans from around the world. Some were brought in as ornamentals, others for erosion control, and many arrived unintentionally through human commerce.
Once these non-native plants became established in the environment, they had no natural competition or biological controls to limit their growth. They produced large quantities of seeds and spread rapidly. With few natural diseases and limited predation by animals or insects, these plants quickly took over. As a result, many native plants were choked out of the cleared lands along the rivers, severely impacting the river bottom ecosystem.
Since the beginning of the River Walk Trail’s construction, we have been slowly removing these non-native species. We are now seeing a great variety of native plants returning in their place. Many native plants will reestablish on their own, but some must be reintroduced. As the number and diversity of native plants increase, more insect species that rely on them for food will return. In turn, this will attract more birds and animals, creating a healthier, more balanced natural environment.
What kinds of non-native invasive plants are found along the trail? The list is long and includes privet, multiflora rose, kudzu, autumn olive, garlic mustard, oriental bittersweet, English ivy, honeysuckle, and many more. The volume of these invasive plants is more concerning than the number of species. When the trail work began, the privet was so dense you couldn’t see ten feet in front of you. Even now, if you look off the trail, you can still spot some of these thick, tangled masses.
Still, we have made great progress. The native plants along the trail are coming back, and the environment is becoming healthier, more diverse, and more visually appealing. We are seeing larger bird populations—and more importantly, a wider variety of bird species—returning to the area. This increase in wildlife numbers and diversity will continue as the ecosystem improves.
As you continue your walk, watch for birds in the bushes and trees along the trail. How many different species can you identify?
Many of the plants that returned were native species important to the delicate river bottom ecosystem of the valley. However, at the same time, many non-native plants were introduced to the area by humans from around the world. Some were brought in as ornamentals, others for erosion control, and many arrived unintentionally through human commerce.
Once these non-native plants became established in the environment, they had no natural competition or biological controls to limit their growth. They produced large quantities of seeds and spread rapidly. With few natural diseases and limited predation by animals or insects, these plants quickly took over. As a result, many native plants were choked out of the cleared lands along the rivers, severely impacting the river bottom ecosystem.
Since the beginning of the River Walk Trail’s construction, we have been slowly removing these non-native species. We are now seeing a great variety of native plants returning in their place. Many native plants will reestablish on their own, but some must be reintroduced. As the number and diversity of native plants increase, more insect species that rely on them for food will return. In turn, this will attract more birds and animals, creating a healthier, more balanced natural environment.
What kinds of non-native invasive plants are found along the trail? The list is long and includes privet, multiflora rose, kudzu, autumn olive, garlic mustard, oriental bittersweet, English ivy, honeysuckle, and many more. The volume of these invasive plants is more concerning than the number of species. When the trail work began, the privet was so dense you couldn’t see ten feet in front of you. Even now, if you look off the trail, you can still spot some of these thick, tangled masses.
Still, we have made great progress. The native plants along the trail are coming back, and the environment is becoming healthier, more diverse, and more visually appealing. We are seeing larger bird populations—and more importantly, a wider variety of bird species—returning to the area. This increase in wildlife numbers and diversity will continue as the ecosystem improves.
As you continue your walk, watch for birds in the bushes and trees along the trail. How many different species can you identify?