Monday, November 23, 2009

Beau Redfield

Autumn Olive
(Elaegaguns umbellata Thund)
By: Beau Redfield
Invasive species are something the world would be better if they were not here. One of many definitions for invasive species is organisms that are non-native and cause harm to native plants, animals, and the environment. Invasive species are usually from across the sea, and harm the native plants, which in turn, harms the environment. An ecosystem might be invaded if you can see many native plants or animals that do well die, or they might start to act strange and/or out of the ordinary. A couple of ways that invasive species can be introduced are by bringing them on purpose, (for environmental purposes) or by accident, like on, or under or, attached to a boat. Just a few ways to fight invasive species are by cutting or pulling the plant out while they are young, or by killing the animal. There are many invasive species; three of them are Round Goby, Zebra Muscles, and Autumn Olive.
The Autumn Olive is naturally and native to Asia, China, Korea, and Japan. Its natural climate is usually mild, with some rain, although it is almost drought tolerant. Autumn Olive’s native landscape is open to semi open areas, like fields and meadows. Autumn Olive is usually eaten by birds and raccoons, which eat the berries. The role in its natural habitat is mostly to f\stop erosion and feed animals.
Autumn Olive’s scientific name is Elagagnus umbellate Thumd. It has a very distinct appearance. It is characterized by the tall plant, with simple leaves that have a silvery underside. Berries of the Autumn Olive are very small and reddish with silver spots, yet the deciduous shrub has many trunks and are brown with minute silver spots. Autumn Olive’s behavior is characterized by the soil moister, how many berries it produces, and if it is eaten by a large number of animals, or if a very small number of animals eat it. Have you ever seen a plant like that?
Autumn Olive was introduced into the United States, where it was alien. The climate in this habitat is mild to warm and the geography is open to semi open, with any kind of soil. Autumn Olive was introduced into the United States on purpose for animals, ornamental uses, and erosion control, then, it was rapidly spreading everywhere.
In its natural habitat, Autumn Olive has a role and functions very well, indeed. But, when it is in the United States, it causes harm. Some very destructive ways that Autumn Olive causes harm is by killing native plants, it grows and then spreads very quickly, and it blocks the sun from the other, smaller, native plants.
There are many efforts being taken to control this problem. Tons of scientists are both finding new ways and trying to get rid of the Autumn Olive in many places. Only a few of the many places that Autumn Olive has invaded is Florida, Michigan, Georgia, the New England states, where it first invaded, and Tennessee. There are three ways that scientist are getting rid of Autumn Olive. One is by pulling out the plant when it is young, and the roots have not established yet. Scientist are also cutting the trees at about 6 to 12 inches from the ground, and putting chemicals on the stump, and lastly, using very specific solutions to kill the plant. If you have a very mature plant, please do not pull it out, or it will grow back stronger and will use more energy.
Although there are many invasive species in the United States, Autumn Olive is defiantly one of the worst here. In the natural habitat, Autumn Olive causes no harm at all to any of the native plants, but the Autumn Olive causes great harms here. Some of the reasons are that it spread sooo quickly, killing the native plants and animals. Autumn Olive’s are an invasive species that does critical damage in the United States. There are oodles of scientists are trying to control this problem by killing it and pulling it out until it is gone, or is almost gone from its invaded areas.

3 comments:

  1. Beau, you did a very good job on giving information about the Autumn Olive. Some things that I noticed are that you had some grammar mistakes but they were not consistent mistakes. I think that you may want to reword your opening sentence, but other than that, you also have to italisize your species name. You did a great job!
    ~Bailey

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  2. Beau, you did a great job on your paper.I think that you might want to reword or change the first sentence in the paper.Your paper also had a few grammer and spelling mistakes and if I'm not mistaken I think you should make your paper longer in order to meet the requirments. You had a good conclusion and you described the Autumn Olive well.You also had a lot of helpful tips for readers on how to take care of their Autumn Olive problems. Over all I think your paper is really good. from : Nkatha

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  3. vary good. it makes me whant to learn more.

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