Exotic Plant Species of Cumberland Island, Georgia1

Abstract

Abstract A survey of exotic plant species on Cumberland Island (Georgia) was conducted during 2003–2004. Of sixty-six exotic plant species identified, twenty-three of these are recognized as invasive or potentially invasive by either the Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council (GAEPPC) or the Florida Exotic Plant Pest Council (FLEPPC) and 11 species occurred in natural areas of Cumberland Island National Seashore. Areas containing exotic plant species, obtained in the form of Geographic Information System layers, ranged from 1 m2 to 2,273,708 m2. Rankings of impact determined by the Alien Plant Ranking System (APRS) ranged from 4 to 60, but did not coincide well with rankings by the GAEPPC or FLEPPC. Five species listed by GAEPPC or FLEPPC ranked 40 or above by APRS, while all others ranked below 38.