Plants in
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Invasice species
exotic plants historically have been transported across geographic boundaries via humans, climatic events, migratory birds, fauna, etc. In the past, governments, scientist, nurserymen and others have introduced exotic plant with minimal or no negative effects. However, this is not always the case and some exotic plants are labeled as Invasive Plants. Arguments can made that invasive plants disrupt ecosystems by overtaking native flora, potentially limiting or eliminating food sources for pollinators and fauna, changing the flora gene pool through hybridization and altering soil chemistry making it more difficult for native plant species to flourish. Sometimes a native plant can become invasive in particular conditions, but a knowledgeable Eco-Pro can advise you on where to locate and select plants so that both the plant, your landscape and the ecosystem thrive.
Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus corymbosum) was a landscaping staple for many years, but the plant escaped cultivation and now encroaches on woodlands in eastern North America. Photo by Chris Barton.
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The fruit of Oriental Bittersweet Celastrus orbiculatus was prized for floral arrangements, but the highly-adaptable vine takes advantage of areas of disturbed soil and ou-tcompetes other plants.
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successionCentaurea maculosa
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adaptation
The temperate rain forest features minimal seasonal fluctuation of temperature: the winters are mild and the summers cool. The temperate rain forest receives a lot of precipitation, about 80 to 152 inches per year. Condensation from coastal fogs also add to the dampness. The soil is poor in nutrients. Large evergreen trees, some reaching 300 feet in height, are the dominant plant species.
Temperate Rain Forest Plant Adaptations Epiphytes such as mosses and ferns grow atop other plants to reach light. Cool temperatures lead to slow decomposition but seedlings grow on "nurse logs" to take advantage of the nutrients from the decomposing fallen logs. Trees can grow very tall due to amount of precipitation. |