Invasive Species Invasive Species

ReviewReview

Native Species Native Species - A species which has evolved to adapt to specific - A species which has evolved to adapt to specific conditions in a particular regionconditions in a particular region

Exotic Species - Exotic Species - Species that have moved into a particular region Species that have moved into a particular region that they are not native tothat they are not native to

Invasive Species Invasive Species - An exotic or a native species that causes harm - An exotic or a native species that causes harm to some aspect of the pre-existing ecosystemto some aspect of the pre-existing ecosystem

ReviewReview

Methods of IntroductionMethods of Introduction

PassivePassive

IntentionalIntentional

Passive IntroductionPassive Introduction

These species, the Japanese Stilt Grass and the Zebra These species, the Japanese Stilt Grass and the Zebra Mussel, were NOT introduced intentionallyMussel, were NOT introduced intentionally

Examples of passive introduction:Examples of passive introduction: Seeds that are stuck on clothing can be carried to a new region where Seeds that are stuck on clothing can be carried to a new region where

they may fall off they may fall off A species can be transported accidentally by attaching to a boat, plane or A species can be transported accidentally by attaching to a boat, plane or

car and falling off in another areacar and falling off in another area

Japanese Stilt GrassJapanese Stilt GrassMicrostegium vimineum Microstegium vimineum

(Trin.) Camus(Trin.) Camus

Native to China, Japan, Korea, Native to China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and IndiaMalaysia, and India

How did it get here?How did it get here?

In the early 1900’s, In the early 1900’s, Japanese Stilt Grass Japanese Stilt Grass was used to pack was used to pack porcelain for shipment. porcelain for shipment. It is believed that this is It is believed that this is how stilt grass made its how stilt grass made its way to the U.S.way to the U.S.

It was first seen It was first seen growing in the wild in growing in the wild in Tennessee in 1919 and Tennessee in 1919 and has slowly worked its has slowly worked its way to Pennsylvaniaway to Pennsylvania

Effects Effects

Out competes native shade dwelling Out competes native shade dwelling vegetation vegetation

Crowds out native forest and wetland Crowds out native forest and wetland vegetationvegetation

ControlControl

The most effective method of controlling Japanese Stilt The most effective method of controlling Japanese Stilt Grass is to prevent disturbing vegetation and soils which Grass is to prevent disturbing vegetation and soils which helps to prevent further infestation by increasing seed helps to prevent further infestation by increasing seed dispersaldispersal

Small isolated populations can be controlled by hand-Small isolated populations can be controlled by hand-pulling and cuttingpulling and cutting

Zebra MusselZebra MusselDreissena polymorphaDreissena polymorpha

Native to the Balkans, Poland and the former Native to the Balkans, Poland and the former Soviet UnionSoviet Union

The first identified populations were found in The first identified populations were found in the Caspian Sea and Ural River in 1769the Caspian Sea and Ural River in 1769

How did it get here?How did it get here?

Introduced through the release of ballast water Introduced through the release of ballast water from one water body into anotherfrom one water body into another

Can be transported to new waters by attaching Can be transported to new waters by attaching to boats; both commercial and recreational to boats; both commercial and recreational

EffectsEffects

Known for their biofouling Known for their biofouling capabilities, by colonizing capabilities, by colonizing in water supply pipes for in water supply pipes for power plants and water power plants and water supply plants and in supply plants and in discharge pipesdischarge pipes

Remove large quantities of Remove large quantities of

plankton from the water plankton from the water when feedingwhen feeding

After death, the zebra After death, the zebra mussel washes up on to mussel washes up on to the shore where it decays the shore where it decays leaving its shellleaving its shell

ControlControl

Manual removalManual removal High pressure High pressure

washingwashing Hand scrapingHand scraping

ThermalThermal Steam injectionSteam injection

Creation of Creation of conditions leading conditions leading to Anoxia/ Hypoxiato Anoxia/ Hypoxia

Intentional Intentional IntroductionIntroduction

Introduced Introduced purposefully in purposefully in order to serve a order to serve a functionfunction

Examples:Examples: IIntroduced for ntroduced for

agricultural reasonsagricultural reasons Used to combat Used to combat

another another environmental environmental problemproblem

Introduced for Introduced for economic reasonseconomic reasons

Gypsy MothGypsy MothLymantria dispar

Originated in Europe, Asia and North Africa Originated in Europe, Asia and North Africa

Survives in climates ranging in temperature from the Survives in climates ranging in temperature from the frigid Russian Steppes to the subtropical shores of frigid Russian Steppes to the subtropical shores of the Mediterranean the Mediterranean

Why was it Why was it introduced?introduced?

The gypsy moth was The gypsy moth was introduced intentionally introduced intentionally by Professor Trovoulet by Professor Trovoulet from Massachusetts from Massachusetts while he was attempting while he was attempting to breed a hardy to breed a hardy silkwormsilkworm

The species escaped by The species escaped by accident when a accident when a specimen jar containing specimen jar containing gypsy moths fell out of gypsy moths fell out of Trovoulet’s windowTrovoulet’s window

The gypsy moth has The gypsy moth has flourished and is slowly flourished and is slowly expanding its rangeexpanding its range

EffectsEffects

Defoliates hundreds Defoliates hundreds of plant species in of plant species in North America, but North America, but prefers Oak and prefers Oak and Aspen trees Aspen trees

Severely weakens the Severely weakens the tree, often leading to tree, often leading to its death and can also its death and can also reduce nut production reduce nut production reducing food for reducing food for some animal speciessome animal species

ControlControl

Removal of any Removal of any egg masses that egg masses that may be on cars, may be on cars, firewood, picnic firewood, picnic tables or outdoor tables or outdoor furniture before furniture before they are moved they are moved to a new areato a new area

Burlap WrapBurlap Wrap

Multiflora RoseMultiflora RoseRosa multifloraRosa multiflora

Native Range: Japan, Korea and Native Range: Japan, Korea and Eastern ChinaEastern China

Thorny perennial shrub introduced to Thorny perennial shrub introduced to the East Coast of the U.S. from Japanthe East Coast of the U.S. from Japan

Why was it Why was it introduced?introduced?

1866- Used as rootstock for ornamental roses1866- Used as rootstock for ornamental roses 1930- Used for erosion control and as “living 1930- Used for erosion control and as “living

fences” to confine livestock such as cowsfences” to confine livestock such as cows Also used for wildlife cover for pheasants and the Also used for wildlife cover for pheasants and the

cottontail rabbit. It has also been planted in cottontail rabbit. It has also been planted in highway medians as a crash barrier and to reduce highway medians as a crash barrier and to reduce headlight glareheadlight glare

EffectsEffects

Creates dense Creates dense thickets that prevent thickets that prevent other native plant other native plant species from growingspecies from growing

Invades open Invades open woodlands, forest woodlands, forest edges, fields, edges, fields, pastures, prairies pastures, prairies and savannahs that and savannahs that have had land have had land disturbancesdisturbances

ControlControl

For small populations, the entire plant and root For small populations, the entire plant and root system can be removed with a shovelsystem can be removed with a shovel

Mowing or cutting is used for large populationsMowing or cutting is used for large populations– In some extreme cases, herbicides are used in In some extreme cases, herbicides are used in

conjunction with this processconjunction with this process

Additional examples of Additional examples of Invasive speciesInvasive species

Intentionally Introduced SpeciesIntentionally Introduced Species▪ ▪ Purple Loosestrife, Japan Knot Weed, Purple Loosestrife, Japan Knot Weed, Garlic Mustard, European Starling ,Tree of Garlic Mustard, European Starling ,Tree of Heaven, Tartarian Honeysuckle, Mile-a-Heaven, Tartarian Honeysuckle, Mile-a-minuteminute

Accidentally Introduced SpeciesAccidentally Introduced Species▪ ▪ Ruffe, Round Goby, White Perch,Ruffe, Round Goby, White Perch, Sea Sea LampreyLamprey