WHIP Helps New Jersey Battle Invasive Shrub

Russian olive. R.A. Seelig @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database.

RANDOLPH TWP – A new program is targeting a pervasive shrub brought over to the United States more than a hundred years ago that threatens to overwhelm the area’s sensitive ecosystem.

The program initiated by the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA) began last fall with the clearing of three acres of the invasive, non-native Russian olive shrub that had grown on land in the Alamatong wellfield.

The program of shrub removal has gotten a boost from the federal Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program and the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.

The two funding agreements are providing the MUA with money to remove the shrubs from an additional five acres in October. The grants total $10,235 in federal funds to be offset by “in-kind” services by the MUA by monitoring the ongoing work, according to Geoff Knapp, an MUA environmental specialist.

Knapp said on Sunday that the program is part of the MUA’s ongoing efforts to restore ecosystems in the 600-acre Alamatong wellfield.

The 10-year agreement with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service includes not only monetary assistance, but also technical support.

Native Grasses
Working in cooperation with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the MUA has planted approximately three acres in native grasses and wildflowers.

Learn about the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program and other Farm Bill programs.

Another 60 acres has been placed in a two-year mowing cycle schedule instead of being cut several times a year, which allows native grasses to establish.

“Basically, the ecological problem here is there aren’t a lot of native grasses being preserved,” Knapp said. “Some of the activities that have destroyed the natural habitat include development and agricultural use. Hayfields are often cut two or three times during a growing season, which inhibits many birds that normally nest in grassland.”

Knapp said that during colonial days, many types of European grasses were brought to America. They are usually the first to grow in the spring, beginning in March and April, and can overwhelm native grasses, which require a warmer season and do not begin growing until June and July.

“Because they begin to grow earlier in the year, they essentially choke out the native grasses,” Knapp said.

Knapp said the native grasses, which include little blue stem, Indian grass, and switch grass, are better at eliminating contaminants from surface water than the European or “invasive” grasses. Thus restoring the native grasses to the habitat will have a positive effect not only on the Alamatong wellfield, but also the Black River located downhill from the grass meadows that are being restored, Knapp said.

According to Knapp, the natural habitat created by native grasses is important to the ecological system that supports birds like the bobolink, barred owl, savannah sparrow, vespers sparrow, and grasshopper sparrow. The native grasses are also important to butterflies such as the skipper arogos and the orange sulfur, and yet another species in the ecological system, the meadow jumping mouse.

“This will benefit birds and their food sources,” said Knapp. “But our main reason for doing the work is to protect water quality. It has more to do with good environmental management. Much of the land acquired by the MUA and local towns has been left alone and the invasive plants are taking over.”

Knapp said the invasive species change the chemistry of the land, which then affects the natural habitat.

“They don’t degrade the system but they don’t improve water quality as well as the native grasses do,” he said.

In the land clearing process, Knapp said shrubs like the Russian olive and Japanese barberry, and herbs like the garlic mustard, would be cut with a forestry mower.

“It cuts and mulches right in place,” said Knapp. “It saves time and money. We’ll be cutting about five acres of Russian olive shrubs this year.”

Knapp said Russian olive shrubs create their own monoculture, which prevents growth of other species.

“This is sort of an experimental project,” said Knapp. “But if it is successful it will probably be expanded.”

Story by Claire Knapp, Randolph Reporter.