Vines Like Kudzu Take Over Southern U.S. Forests

Creeping vines are increasingly invading Southern forests, choking out trees and altering forest makeups. Scientists say increased levels of carbon dioxide might be to blame.....Just why the vines are taking over is uncertain.

The fact is, vines are excellent primary colonizers. They have the leg up on most slower-growing temperate species (incl. trees!) and they simply outcompete them.

Many vines were brought into our country as horticultural plants. Many private land owners think ivy/kudzu/looks cool growing up the side of your trees.

Buffers between forested land and homes are getting thinner. "Thinner" woods are more easily penetrated by vines, which is compounded by the animals that are being left with fewer shelter/food resources. Thus, city planners and the animals that rely on the trees have a hand in the problem.

Not only do the vines/weeds come in on construction equipment but many of the weeds/vines thrive on disturbed land. This could explain why the newer forests have exponentially more vine incursions than the older forest systems.

SOURCE:
Andrea Thompson
LiveScience