Ecological Threats
Each natural community faces ecological threats that could change its defining features, leading to its decline.
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Non-Native Invasive Plants
Non-native invasive plants that gain a foothold in the Red Maple Seepage Swamp must be able to tolerate saturated soils. The harms caused by non-native invasive plants include competition with natives for soil nutrients, sunlight, and pollinators, and degradation of animal habitat. (* indicates non-native)
- crabapple* (tree)
- English ivy* (vine)
- garlic mustard* (low plant)
- Japanese barberry* (shrub)
- Japanese honeysuckle* (vine)
- Japanese snowball* (shrub)
- mile-a-minute weed* (vine)
- porcelain-berry* (vine)
- privets* (shrub)
- winter creeper* (vine)
Diseases, Pests, and Other Threats
Current and potential ecological threats for the Red Maple Seepage Swamp in Rock Creek Park include the following:
- Disturbance of groundwater processes (including paving over too much land surface): reduction in groundwater availability Ecobit: Rain, Rain, Go Away—But Where?
- Prolonged or repeated drought: reduction in groundwater availability
- Flash flooding: damage from high velocity and frequency of floodwaters; polluted urban and agricultural stormwater runoff
- Asian long-horned beetle (potential): damage to red maple
- Emerald ash borer (potential): damage to green ash
- Viburnum leaf beetle (potential): damage to blackhaw and southern arrow-wood