Should native plants be used in landscaping? (Discussion)

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Clip Guide

: Here you will find clear descriptions of what you just saw, how they know what they said they knew, why they know it to be trustworthy information. Finally we will ask the question, "So what!" and explore why the information is important.

WHAT do we know?

Following Dr. Reichard’s 1994 lecture on invasive plants, “What makes a species a successful invader?” a group of other scientists and other professionals from similar fields discuss the difficulties in trying to encourage ecologically conscious planting. They consider examples of successful promotion of the use of native plants in gardens and restoration and challenges to planting natives mindfully as well as challenges to determining which plants are native and risks associated with the promotion of native plants.

HOW do we know?

Scientific questions sometimes directly overlap with public actions. In this discussion, scientists are debating what types of planting practices are most likely to help preserve native ecosystems while still meeting public needs and interests, such as the desire for aesthetically-pleasing gardens or effective restoration species.

WHY can this be trusted?

Discussion and critique of scientific ideas form an important part of the scientific process. By opening their ideas and methods to critique, scientists like Dr. Reichard are able to develop hypotheses and action plans that offer a complex understanding of challenges and opportunities related to their studies.

SO WHAT?

Introduced plants can become invasive in local ecosystems, outcompeting local species1. As shown in the associated chart, many of these introductions originate from gardens or other landscape planting. Studies such as Dr. Reichard’s and discussions like the one shown in this clip seek to create practical ways to help reduce introduction of invasive species while still considering the needs and interests of planters.

1Reichard, S., & Gardens, B. (2008, October). The Five Stages of Grief: Invasive Plants and the Horticulture Industry. In California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2008 (p. 3).

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Printable Companion Guide:

Guide New--Reichard.pdf

Active Listening Questions

Active Listening Questions:

What are some of the challenges to using native plants in gardening?

What qualifies as a native plant?

Taking the Reins

taking the reins

Clip Discussion Questions

Reflect on the clip using these questions. Then, record your thoughts in a science journal or discuss them with a friend.

One of the reasons for trying to protect native species is to help keep different areas of Earth ecologically distinct. Do you think this is important, why or why not?

What do you think of the argument that for slow growing plants, we should introduce plants based on predicted changes in climate?

Plants have dispersed to new areas for hundreds of thousands of years. In your opinion, what should the criteria be for whether a plant is considered native or not?

Clip Discission Question Printable Companion:

Discussion Questions New--Reichard.pdf

Go Beyond:

Go beyond: Plant Survey (Journal Activity)

In this video clip, the scientists discuss the presence of invasive plants introduced by gardeners or city planners. How native are the plants in your neighborhood? Find out.

1. Select an area of your neighborhood to survey. If possible, include a nearby park that has "natural areas" in your survey.

2. Before you visit your study site, record what you expect to find, including: plant locations, most common types of plants, and what percentage of native vs. invasive species.

3. Make a plan. How will you survey your area? Will you count each plant individually or make an estimate of what percentage of total plant cover each species comprises? How will you record your findings? You could use sketches, photographs, charts, or graphs.

4. Carry out your plan. Borrow a botany book from the library, and survey your site using your plan. Be sure to record plant type, abundance, and location.

5.Go deeper. Using resources such as local universities, park rangers, botanists from a garden store, or the Internet find out which of the plants you found are native and which are invasive. Are any considered noxious weeds?

6. Compare your findings with your initial thoughts. Where were you correct in your assumptions, and where were you mistaken? For ideas where you were mistaken, what do you think caused your mistaken impression?

7. Bonus: Be a citizen scientist. Some cities or parks try to track the presence of noxious weeds, so your data could prove useful to the city. Call your local city or park managers and see if they are interested in having your data.

Go Beyond Printable Companion:

Go Beyond New--Reichard.pdf

Clip Quiz

Clip Quiz: