White Riverbank Invasive Species Removal The three acre riverbank along the White River is in need of rehabilitation due to invasive plant pressure and the concern of bank erosion.  Asian Bush Honeysuckle (Lonicera tartarica) is considered an invasive species in Indiana. Beginning fall of 2008, FlatLand Resources will begin work on the removal of the honeysuckle along the riverbank. Click here to see the work plan and pictures!

More about the Asian Bush Honeysuckle...

This shrub also promotes erosion instead of preventing it.  The plants will grow very close together creating dense shade and an inhospitable growing condition for good bank stabilizing plants such as native grasses and sedges. 

The root system on this shrub is fibrous and shallow rooted, for bank stabilization deeper rooted plants are recommended. The seeds of Bush Honeysuckle are distributed primarily by birds over long distances so the removal of young plants will be a constant management even after the initial removal occurs.

Once a mature stand of Asian Bush Honeysuckle takes hold it is impossible to remove the plants without a combination of manual and chemical methods over multiple years. Currently the mature stand of Asian Bush Honeysuckle makes it very difficult to see visually and monitor any erosion that is currently taking place or for Minnetrista to be proactive about observing erosion issues early along the riverbank. 

The first step is to remove the honeysuckle.  Immediately after removal the exposed bank should be hydro-seeded with bank stabilizing native grasses (grasses that develop deep root systems) that are also able to thrive under the partly shaded conditions that the native tree species established on the bank provide.  More light will also encourage native tree rejuvenation over-time which is beneficial because their root systems are vital to bank stabilization. The riverbank should then be evaluated and the current conditions documented and used as a comparison against any future data collection.  The data collected over-time will show erosion concerns and lead to preventative action.