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 Message Boards » » Idea to stabilize the OBX (Kudzu??) Page [1]  
Walter
All American
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Why don't we just plant a bunch of Kudzu all up and down the coast to prevent erosion and stabilize our barrier islands? Just cover all of the ocean-side dunes with it, especially Jockey's Ridge and the Wright Bros property. They could cut little paths through the Kudzu growth for beach/dune/sightseeing. Once Jockey's Ridge is stabilized and grows back up in height they can finally install one of those binoculars where you pay a quarter so you can look into them. That would help pay for the Kudzu planting and maintaining access paths during prime growing season.

9/5/2025 11:40:22 PM

StTexan
#StayBlessed
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That’s a sharp question — kudzu does grow aggressively and can hold soil in place, but it’s actually a pretty bad candidate for stabilizing coastlines and barrier islands. A few key reasons why:

1. Kudzu is invasive.
It was originally introduced to the U.S. from Asia for erosion control, but it spread uncontrollably, smothering trees, shrubs, and entire landscapes. Planting it on barrier islands would create a massive ecological problem, outcompeting native dune grasses, shrubs, and wildlife habitat.

2. It doesn’t tolerate salty, sandy, coastal conditions.
Kudzu likes well-drained but nutrient-rich soils inland. Barrier islands are sandy, salty, windblown, and often flooded by seawater. Kudzu wouldn’t thrive there — but if it did, it would destabilize native systems.

3. Native dune plants are specialized for the job.
Species like sea oats, American beachgrass, and bitter panicum have deep, fibrous root systems that trap sand and rebuild dunes over time. Kudzu spreads mostly by vines and shallow roots; it doesn’t form the kind of underground structure that dune grasses do.

4. Kudzu smothers rather than stabilizes.
It climbs over and shades out plants, killing the very vegetation that’s supposed to hold the dunes together. The end result would be reduced biodiversity and weaker long-term dune systems.

5. Coastal management is about resilience, not just “holding soil.”
Barrier islands are dynamic — they’re supposed to shift and reshape with storms and tides. The best strategies usually mix native vegetation, dune restoration, and sometimes engineered structures, not aggressive invasive vines.

?? In short: Kudzu is great at “covering” ground, but it’s the wrong tool for coastal erosion. Native dune grasses are much better suited for barrier island stabilization without wrecking the ecosystem.

Would you like me to show you a comparison of how kudzu roots vs. sea oats roots behave in sandy soil?

9/5/2025 11:49:39 PM

justinh524
Sprots Talk Mod
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Yes i would like that, ChatStTexan

9/6/2025 7:23:08 AM

Walter
All American
8062 Posts
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9/6/2025 9:46:35 AM

StTexan
#StayBlessed
9584 Posts
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^^lol the syllables match

9/6/2025 10:20:21 AM

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