An invasive species is an animal or plant that is not originally from a specified area and significantly grows to an extent that it affects the economic setting and state of the invaded area, human survival and their health and the environment in general. Known examples of invasive species are Beavers common in Tierra del Fuego, North America where they cause a massive destruction to the landscape through their dams. Another one is a vine of Japanese origin called Kudzu that has invaded South-eastern part of the US; Atlanta, Georgia.
Among the many non-native species that have invaded Florida are bright green reptiles, air potato vines, Burmese pythons and iguanas (Christensen, FWC). The air potato vine for instance poses a serious danger to the native plant species. Air potatoes belong to yam family with their origin in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. This species was added to the Florida invasive plants watch-list in 1999 considering its fast growth rate. Air potato vines can grow as fast as up to eight inches in a single day and produce numerous growths that resemble potatoes called bulbils (hence the name air potato vines) which lie on the ground from which new plants generate.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Air potato vines are known to flower, though this is a rare occurrence in Florida. The species therefore relies on its bulbils for spreading as the aerial tubers sprout into new plants. During winter (December to February), the bulbils fall from the vines and sprout during spring. Air potato vines attack various habitats such as native area hammocks and pinelands. Being a non-native species, air potato vines lack pests or plant diseases to control its growth. This species forms a vine shed that proves hard for native trees to penetrate and the shed also deprives understory vegetation of sunlight, they eventually die. Dominance or air potato vines due to their fast growth poses a danger to biodiversity and causes instability of ecosystem in the natural location. Economically, the government is forced to spend more than necessary in non-native species management.
Florida Wildlife Conservation commission has stepped up to manage the situation by introducing a beetle that feeds on the species. This control measure is promising towards solving the menace. In addition, the government should consider researching on the economic value of this species so it can be exploited to put it into use.
References
Christensen, D. (2018, Sep 25). The most dangerous and invasive species in Florida. Retrieved from https://www.sun-sentel.com
Langeland, K. (2017, Oct 25) Natural Area Weeds: Air Potato. Retrieved from www.stoppinginvasives.com
Matt, P. (2018, May 10). Air potato leaf beetles coming to North Florida to help control invasive vine. Retrieved from myfwc.com
