Terrestrial Invasive Species

The water is not the only place threatened by invasive species. We must think of the watershed as well. A watershed is the area of land around a body of water. Terrestrials invasive species are the second leading factor in biodiversity loss. The following species have been identified by the Lake George Land Conservancy as the “top five terrestrial invasive plants of the Lake George Watershed.”


Common Reed Grass Photo courtesy of: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org	Garlic Mustard Photo courtesy of: John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org	Japanese Knotweed Photo courtesy of: Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org	Purple Loosestrife Photo courtesy of: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org	Shrubby Honeysuckles Photo courtesy of: Warner Park Nature Center Archive, Warner Park Nature Center, Bugwood.org

Other significant terrestrial invaders in the Lake George Watershed include black locust, white sweetclover, spotted knapweed, Asiatic bittersweet, multiflora rose, winged euonymous (or burning bush), coltsfoot, black swallowwort, and velvetleaf.

Many of the plants used today for landscaping have been accidentally or intentionally distributed outside their historic range by human activities. Most of these non-native plants stay where they are planted and do not invade natural areas. However, some do become invasive by establishing a population, reproducing rapidly, displacing native species and causing economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.

Visit our lake-friendly living page on native plants to avoid planting non-native or invasive plants.

Our work with terrestrial invasive species

Wall lettuce surveys
Wall lettuce identification sheet - pdf.
2010 Wall lettuce report - pdf.

Island Invasive Species Inventory. Surveying began in 2010 on day-use islands. Islands surveyed included Asas, DIamond, Hazel, Odell, and Speaker Heck. Locations of Autumn olive, spotted knapweed, multiflora rose, shrubby honeysuckle, Japanese barberry, and crown vetch were recorded.

Garlic Mustard Pulls. The LGA assists the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation with garlic mustard removal at campgrounds in the Lake George watershed.

Plant Conservation Alliance's garlic mustard fact sheet - pdf