Assessing invasive plant species in Louisville’s Urban Forest

Within Louisville, KY’s network of urban green space and forests, invasive plant management is vital to protecting biodiversity and allowing native species to thrive. Partners across the city have been working to identify non-native invasive species, map their spread, monitor how they affect native species, and mitigate damage from invasive plants. Much of that falls into three categories: 1) Mapping patterns of invasive plant presence in relation to disturbance 2) Recording the effects of various management practices and 3) Tracking forest health through the regeneration of native tree seedlings and saplings This data is used to inform management plans and falls under two broad categories: qualitative/descriptive and quantitative/measured. Both data types work together to support a prioritization outline or triage plan for treatments and to understand the effects of land management practices