California brought in ice plant in the early 1900s to hold soil in place; it now spreads 3 feet a year, smothering natives and reshaping coastal dunes

Highway ice plant, introduced from South Africa, now invades California's coast. This succulent's dense mats crowd out native vegetation and alter dune movement. The plant stabilizes dunes, interfering with natural sand processes and blocking sunlight. Removing the invasive ice plant proves challenging, requiring careful restoration efforts. California's experience highlights ecological engineering's unintended consequences on natural landscapes.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/wxvWqHR