Project Purpose
The purpose of the Rocky Branch Creek service project was to restore native species, and to provide beneficial impacts to the environment. Invasive species have become an overwhelming issue in the Rocky Branch Creek habitat. The invasive species present have caused overcrowding and the depletion of native species (Weber). The presence of the densely populated invasive species allows these species to overcome the native competitors in the habitat (Mello). The invasive species present are unable to support the environment of Rocky Branch Creek. Several of the invasive species located at the creek have shallow roots, which leads to numerous negative impacts. The shallow roots of the invasive species causes increased rates of soil erosion, which leads to water contamination, native specie removal, and exposed soil (D’antonio). If the Rocky Branch Creek receives increased water flow, the short roots of invasive species can’t support the soil, so large pieces of soil will be pulled into the creek that may contain native species (D’antonio). Once the soil and plant species are pulled into the creek, naked soil remains, which allows for easy population of invasive species on the creek bank.
Phase I |
Phase II |
Invasive Species Removal |
Replanting |
The invasive species removal from Rocky Branch Creek was a group effort of EcoVillagers and their campus partners. The removal of invasive species was conducted primarily on Phase III. There were several invasive species removed including Japanese Stilt Grass, Chinese Privet, Japanese Privet, Porcelain Berry, and Princess Tree. These invasive species, mainly Japanese Stilt Grass, have short roots, which allows for several negative impacts on the habitat. The removal of the invasive species allowed for open soil for the restoration of native species.
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After the removal of the invasive species, it was important to restore some of the native species of the area. This was also done primarily in Phase III. Among the species that were replanted included, Flowering Dogwood, Redbud, Azalea, Elderberry, Silky Dogwood, Silky Willow, and Junkus. Junkus was planted around the edges of the stream bank to protect from erosion. Azalea, which is native to the Blue Ridge Mountains were also planted around the surrounding areas. Flowering Dogwood was used as as the understory plant. Not many plants were planted because nearly half of them will not survive, because of harsh environmental conditions. However, what was planted is something to build off of.
Phase III: Post Replanting |