DESCRIPTION
This project's objective is to eliminate invasive knotweed in order to preserve and allow restoration of the Hoh River's riparian forests, and to thereby maintain the ecosystem services they provide to the river. Knotweed is proven to rapidly and completely disrupt natural succession in Washington's native riparian forests, especially on migrating rivers, eliminating critical habitats that support native species such as the Hoh River's wild salmon, steelhead and bull trout.
This restoration project sponsored by 10,000 Years Institute surveyed 30 miles and controlled invasive species on 10 of those miles of the Hoh River floodplain in Jefferson County, from the Olympic National Park boundary downstream to the river's mouth at the Pacific Ocean. After 14 years of successful treatment, knotweed has been reduced to a very sparse population; only 78 sites were observed in 2012, 38 in 2013,125 in 2014, and 40 in 2015. In addition to achieving significant reductions in target species, this project informs scientists and project managers about these species ecology and effectiveness of control strategies, and policy-makers, resource professionals, landowners and the public about the impact of invasive plants on aquatic and riparian habitats.
