Analyzing the Treatment of Invasive Liana Hedra helix in Arlington Virginia

Invasive species are an exorbitant problem, which is being seen all over the world and is enveloping local ecosystems in a shroud of death and extinction. While some argue semantics over the anthropocene, the planet has without a doubt entered an epoch of mass extinction as a result of human action in climate, species displacement, and introduction of invasive species into fragile ecosystems (Kolbert 2014). In this paper, researchers analyzed the effectiveness of local invasive species management by researching a specific particularly destructive and deeply embedded invasive liana colloquially known as English Ivy (binomial nomenclature Hedra helix). Researchers consulted local experts, and compared a percentage cover map of invasives from 2007 to a newly created map. Furthermore, researchers collected accounts of management methods and practices from workers, volunteers, and experts. This paper found that management methods in Arlington Virginia have been marginally effective, with an 11% decrease in percentage cover of Hedra helix in Arlington parks when compared to the map in 2007 (Appendix A; Appendix B)