As I've been working on a few conservation projects this year, I want to write this profile report on the effect of invasive plant species. Invasive species come from different locations around the world, interfering and choking out native plant species. On a project I worked on last weekend, we worked to remove invasive plant species near the beach. Iceplants were one of those species.

Iceplants are succulent shrubs that are highly invasive to the coasts of the western United States. Where I live, they are everywhere. They are native to the coast of South Africa, and thrive in the coastal US in the similar climate. Iceplants were brought to California to help stabilize erosion on railroad tracks, and also as an ornamental  plant. 

However, iceplants spread incredibly quickly, and create a choking mat of heavy plants that block light and water consumption. They also release salt into the soil, altering the salt level of the soil, making it less inhabitable for other native plant seeds.

What to do about ice plants? Well, ice plants have shallow roots, so they can be more easily removed in a project (like the one I worked on). Native plants should be planted in their place, to prevent ice plants from re-establishing themselves. And lastly, to prevent the spread of invasive ice plants, avoid planting them in susceptible areas to invasion! Although they have pretty flowers, it is important to prevent ice plants’ devastating effects.

Thanks for reading!