Birds disperse the seeds of invasive plants that often crowd or even kill native plants.
Yet, these berries are often essential, providing birds with needed nutrients.
The Two-edged Sword of Berries
Environmentalists have mixed feelings about these early winter berries.
Because they fulfill acute needs for widespread food sources, these berries are essential for the birds.
But human alteration of the landscape has eliminated much of the habitat for these American beauties.
Becoming invasive, they outcompete native plants often eradicating closely related species, and even killing off unrelated varieties.
