Explore Explore Science Let’s PLANTS OUT OF PLACE PUBLISHING ROURKE COURTNEY FARRELL www rourkepublishing com 1
Chapter 1 WHAT ARE PLANTS OUT OF PLACE the 1800s salt cedar was brought to the United States from Asia People thought it would be a nice In In addition to the U S landscape They also thought the small tree or shrub would help prevent soil erosion But soon it was causing more harm than good Sal e Fi dense whi l Cedar t ld Guide Appearance ree t smal shrub or s pink flower te or spreads t i Ways water wind methods Removal herbicides ing l hand pul rol cont biological 4
The roots of salt cedar rapidly pull minerals and water out of the soil Mineral salts collect in the leaves When the leaves fall the soil around the salt cedar becomes very saline or salty Nearby plants cannot live in the dry salty soil and many die Between the 1930s and 1950s salt cedar spread uncontrollably and affected birds Before salt cedar spread it was estimated in one location that 100 acres 40 5 hectares of land could be home to approximately 150 species of wildlife But after the arrival of the plant 100 acres 40 5 hectares could support only four species Many plants die when salt cedar invades their habitat 5
