1.   And, once an area is cleared of native vegetation by one or repeated fires, the grasses grow in even thicker, sometimes outcompeting native wildflowers and shrubs.

2.   As it flows, the phosphorus content encourages the growth of exotic plants, such as cat-tails and Brazilian pepper, which crowd out native vegetation.

3.   At Fresh Kills landfill in Staten Island, ecologists are restoring native vegetation to hills built of garbage.

4.   Azaleas, live oaks and dozens of other kinds of native vegetation, planted decades ago, are mature and flourishing.

5.   A crushed-rock trail winds through the front of the park, allowing visitors to touch the native vegetation and see the historical exhibits.

6.   Creating deer-friendly habitats of native vegetation will reduce overgrazing by cattle, he said, thereby helping preserve precious groundwater supplies.

7.   Fontana said federal authorities already are making plans to shore up the soil to prevent erosion, repair firebreaks built by bulldozers and begin replanting native vegetation.

8.   Its leaves produce toxins that alter soil chemistry, harming native vegetation.

9.   Now, out-of-play areas have been cleared of non-native fescue grass and reseeded with native vegetation.

10.   Now, an intensive project by EPA and environmental groups is restoring the natural flow of the river and the native vegetation to bring the stream back to life.