Fox19: UC finds invasive species taking over Ohio forests
Fox19 talked to a University of Cincinnati biologist about a new botanical survey of southwest Ohio that found an alarming variety of nonnative invasive plants.
UC College of Arts and Sciences biology professor Denis Conover surveyed parts of Hamilton County where he found nonnative invasive plants such as English ivy, winter creeper, white mulberry and multiflora rose, among many others.
UC ecology professor E. Lucy Braun conducted a botanical survey of southwest Ohio in 1934.
Conover is replicating exhaustive botanical surveys of the area by UC doctoral graduate and professor E. Lucy Braun in 1934 and Cincinnati botanist Thomas G. Lea in 1834. His study, published this month in the journal Ecological Restoration, helps describe how Cincinnati's plant diversity has changed over the last 200 years.
“One of the most striking differences is the large number of non-native invasive plants that have now invaded the natural areas in the Cincinnati area,” Conover told Fox19.
Conover found dozens of species of invasive plants, but some such as Amur honeysuckle and English ivy are particular problems because they are so ubiquitous in forests and can crowd out other native plants.
Conover said people can help by choosing to plant species that are native to the area in their lawns and gardens.
Learn more about nature
UC biology professor Denis Conover leads weekly interpretive nature walks at 2:30 p.m. Sundays at Burnet Woods.
UC biology professor Denis Conover holds porcelainberry during a botanical survey of Spring Grove Cemetery. Photo/Lisa Ventre/UC Marketing + Brand
Latest UC News
- Lindner faculty and staff awarded college, university recognitionsThe Carl H. Lindner College of Business honored its college- and university-level faculty and staff award winners on April 22 with a ceremony and reception at Lindner Hall.
- From flight nurse aspirations to health care innovation: Meet Nick Dobrzelecki, BSN '97We can thank flight nurses to Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Class of ’97 alumnus Nick Dobrzelecki’s interest in nursing. More than 30 years since making that decision, Dobrzelecki has not yet flown as a nurse, but has impacted the health care industry on many fronts.
- UC Clermont welcomes new associate deanThe University of Cincinnati Clermont College has appointed longtime faculty member Krista Clark, PhD, to associate dean of academic affairs.
- UC alumni and friends make a big impact on UC Day of Giving24-hour challenge raises more than $3.8 million to support scholarships, drive innovation, and help the UC community continue to thrive.
- Spectrum News: Student-led organization empowers patients with Parkinson’s DiseaseSpectrum News highlighted the work of UC student Mallika Desai and the student group Parkinson's Together that takes a multidisciplinary approach to meeting the needs of patients with Parkinson's disease in their community.
- WLWT: UC sending out financial aid offers to incoming freshman after FAFSA delaysJack Miner, vice provost for enrollment management, spoke with WLWT-TV providing an update on Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for students at the University of Cincinnati.