Invasive Species

[Turtle]

Recognized as a worldwide detriment, invasive species have received close scrutiny and considerable study in recent years. A Google search of "invasive species" returns nearly 6 million hits, but any search engine suffices.
invasive species - Google Search
Results 1 - 10 of about 5,890,000 for invasive species.

Gotta start somewhere and may as well go with a definition from an authoritive source.
Invasives Species - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Originally Posted by US Fish & Wildlife

What are Invasive Species?

Invasive species are organisms that are introduced into a non-native ecosystem and which cause, or are likely to cause, harm to the economy, environment or human health. It is important to note that when we talk about a species being invasive, we are talking about environmental boundaries, not political ones. In addition to the many invasive species from outside the U.S., there are many species from within the U.S. that are invasive in other parts of the country. ...

What's invaded your neck of the woods neighbor? Enquiring minds want to know.

[freeztar]

Good call. This thread is long overdue!

In my neck of the woods (weird saying), we are plagued by many invasive species. The most notable, by far, is kudzu, also known as "the vine that ate the South".

And the list goes on...

Japanese Honeysuckle
Tree of Heaven
Japanese knotweed
English Ivy
Chinese tallow tree
Silk tree (Albizia julibrissin)
Brazillian waterweed
Moneywort
Parrot feather
multiple species of Polygonum
etc. etc.

Just so we're clear...
Invasive species can refer to different things. Wikipedia has a great synopsis of this in the intro to the article on "invasive species".

Invasive species is a phrase with several definitions. The first definition expresses the phrase in terms of non-indigenous species (e.g. plants or animals) that adversely affect the habitats they invade economically, environmentally or ecologically. It has been used in this sense by government organizations[1][2] as well as conservation groups such as the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).[3]

The second definition broadens the boundaries to include both native and non-native species that heavily colonize a particular habitat.[3]

The third definition is an expansion of the first and defines an invasive species as a widespread non-indigenous species.[3] This last definition is arguably too broad as not all non-indigenous species necessarily have an adverse effect on their adopted environment. An example of this broader use would include the claim that the common goldfish (Carassius auratus) is invasive. Although it is common outside its range globally, it almost never appears in harmful densities.[3]

Because of the ambiguity of its definition, the phrase invasive species is often criticized as an imprecise term within the field of ecology.[3] This article concerns the first two definitions; for the third, see introduced species.

I'm assuming you are referring to the second definition, yes? (the second definition from wiki most closely matches the definition given by USFWS)

Sorry, I know I'm being pedantic.

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by freeztar

Good call. This thread is long overdue!

Gracias Señor. Gotta earn my pay.

Originally Posted by ratzeerf

In my neck of the woods (weird saying), we are plagued by many invasive species. The most notable, by far, is kudzu, also known as "the vine that ate the South".

And the list goes on...

Japanese Honeysuckle
Tree of Heaven
Japanese knotweed
English Ivy
Chinese tallow tree
Silk tree (Albizia julibrissin)
Brazillian waterweed
Moneywort
Parrot feather
multiple species of Polygonum
etc. etc.

Nice...erhm ...I mean not good. Well, good you know what's up but bad it's up in a phat way. Anybody doing anything about it in any significant way? (i have heard the neck-of-your-woods phrase since I had ears; don't know the etymology or distribution of it though?? )

Originally Posted by Free Z

Just so we're clear...
Invasive species can refer to different things. Wikipedia has a great synopsis of this in the intro to the article on "invasive species".

I'm assuming you are referring to the second definition, yes? (the second definition from wiki most closely matches the definition given by USFWS)

Sorry, I know I'm being pedantic.

I live and breath pedanticism. I don't like the Wiki entry, and I did read it before choosing the other source. The devil's in the details, and here some be.

devil #1: The second part ignores that we already have a term for plants & animals that have habituated themselves without apparent harm, to whit "naturalized":
naturalized - definition of naturalized by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

Originally Posted by Dictionary

3. To adapt or acclimate (a plant or animal) to a new environment; introduce and establish as if native. ...

devil #2:Wiki says:

Originally Posted by Wiked

... This last definition is arguably too broad as not all non-indigenous species necessarily have an adverse effect on their adopted environment. An example of this broader use would include the claim that the common goldfish (Carassius auratus) is invasive. Although it is common outside its range globally, it almost never appears in harmful densities. ...

This is misleading at best and patently false at worst as I recently found while discussing the pet issue. To whit, goldfish: Carassius auratus (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

Originally Posted by Invasive.org

Invasive Listing Sources:

Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
Invasive Species of Concern in Georgia

So, Wiki is out and we'll stick with the definition I gave from the F & W folk and the other standard term "naturalized". It is the case that what is considered naturalized may in the face of new evidence of harm, later take the classification of invasive, but we can burn that bridge when we get on it.

Here's the main page of Invasive.org where they are virtually choking on invasive species facts. >> Invasive Species: Information, Images, Videos, Distribution Maps

Off like a turtle then to recover some resources for posting........................

[freeztar]

Excellent resource Turtle! (invasive.org)

I'm perfectly happy going with the USFWS definition.
The problem with words like "invasive" and "naturalized" is that they can mean several different things. As the wiki points out, this is frowned upon by Ecologists. Yet, we still use such terms.

While we're being pedantic...

Perhaps Non-native (non-indegenous) invasive is more descriptive?

The Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council uses this language.

Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council - List of Non-native Invasive Plants in Georgia

Here's an interesting news article I found:

The two invasive plants under study, Opuntia stricata – a type of prickly pear – and Carpobrotus affine acinaciformis – also called Sally-my-handsome or balsam – have more eye-catching flowers and are richer in pollen that the rest of the native plants and receive many more insect visits that the latter.

The study reveals that the invasive plants play a central role in the plant pollination network. This is because during the period of the study, Opuntia stricta received 30.9% of insect visits, compared to 43.4% for Carpobrotus affine acinaciformis.

The scientists discovered that the more resources there are in the plant community, the more pollinators will be attracted towards all of the plants, although it is still not known whether the impact on the seeds of the native plant is positive or not. This is the case for Carpobrotus, which can impact upon the pollination of the native plants.

Native Plants Can Also Benefit From The Invasive Ones

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by freeztar

Excellent resource Turtle! (invasive.org)

I'm perfectly happy going with the USFWS definition.
The problem with words like "invasive" and "naturalized" is that they can mean several different things. As the wiki points out, this is frowned upon by Ecologists. Yet, we still use such terms.

If we run into a case where we need to clarify outside the Fish & Wildlife definition, then that's what we do; specify a caveat. There is also in the mix the term "noxious weed" which is a classification used by government as well. If it fits at some point, then we'll wear it.

Originally Posted by Freesfar

Native Plants Can Also Benefit From The Invasive Ones

I'll read this in depth presently, but just the title & your snippet implies making the best of a bad situation to me.

Here's another source while I'm crawling by: >> National Invasive Species Information Center

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by Turtle

If we run into a case where we need to clarify outside the Fish & Wildlife definition, then that's what we do; specify a caveat. There is also in the mix the term "noxious weed" which is a classification used by government as well. If it fits at some point, then we'll wear it.

Works for me.

I'll read this in depth presently, but just the title & your snippet implies making the best of a bad situation to me.

I'm interested in your opinion on this. It got my attention because it claimed the opposite of conventional wisdom. My take on it: It's an interesting theory and the results are surprising, but to make a claim such as that in the title requires many more studies incorporating many different species in varying geographical environments.

Nonetheless, it's pretty intriguing and it makes sense on an intuitive level, imho.

Here's another source while I'm crawling by: >> National Invasive Species Information Center

Another great site!

Looking at these new resources, I'm reminded of some very popular suspects that I forgot to mention.

Chinese Privet
Chinese wisteria
(both living within 50 meters of where I sit right now)

But...but...but....Chinese wisteria smells wonderful and is beautiful in the springtime...

Well, it is a great invasive by comparison. It does smell great and it is a pretty Spring draping for the trees, but it is taking over natural areas here without repent.

[Cedars]

Goldfish... isnt that just a fancy name for carp?

Carp a bad invasive species.
Pheasants. There is some debate about whether they are holding back prairie chicken re-establishment.
Cattle.
Pigs.
Isnt the Norway rat an import?
European house sparrow
Starlings
Eurasian Milfoil
Isnt Creeping charlie an import also?
Hawkeye (I think thats what its called) Type of dandylion invading the meadows.
spotted Knapweed (purple flower, kinda thistle shaped).
Tiger mosquitos
Japanese Ash Borer.
Zebra mussles

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by Cedars

Cattle.
Pigs.

Good call. I wouldn't ever think of them as invasive species, but the way in which we "produce" them, they are definitely invasive.

Starlings

Eurasian Milfoil

Double

Isnt Creeping charlie an import also?

I'm not familiar with creeping Charlie. I'll look it up though.

Hawkeye (I think thats what its called) Type of dandylion invading the meadows.

I'm interested!

spotted Knapweed (purple flower, kinda thistle shaped).

Tiger mosquitos

Fun for the whole family!

Zebra mussles

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by freeztar

I'm interested in your opinion on this. It got my attention because it claimed the opposite of conventional wisdom. My take on it: It's an interesting theory and the results are surprising, but to make a claim such as that in the title requires many more studies incorporating many different species in varying geographical environments.

Nonetheless, it's pretty intriguing and it makes sense on an intuitive level, imho.

The headline is more a headline than any summary of the actual work, and the actual work is limited to a small geographical area and then there is the problem of whether or not any such pollinations measures from studies of insect pollination were done before the invasive species arrived or whether the insects have varied because of some other ecological pressure, or if....yeah...complex.

This passage is simply too wishy-washy and if they could have said "does" rather than "can" I presume they woulda:

Originally Posted by Science Daily

According to the research, the existence of invasive plants in invaded sites can increase visits from insects to the majority of native plants. In this way the “floral market” hypothesis in which only the invasive flowers are seen to benefit and the native flowers are no longer visited by insects is contradicted. ...

Then this is really the best account of the work, at the verrrrrryyyyy bottom: >>

Originally Posted by Science Daily

Bartomeus confirms to SINC that “the presence of the invasive plants can alter the structure of the plant community, and it is difficult to predict the long-term effects of this.”

Gee, really? Hard to predict the effect ya say? Ya think? So yeah, pretty much nothin' there as I see it that tells us anything more than we knew going in.

There is an article in the Hypography News section that is from the same outfit as the above story and talks about invasive cats & rabbits. Here again the title is meant to grab and is misleading at best and the upshot is they should have gotten rid of the rabbits at the same time as the cats. Here's that link: >> http://hypography.com/forums/news-in...-invasive.html

I suggest at the same time as we further the studies, we step up education & abatement of known invasions as much as practical. Over in Forest Park in Portland I know they have had volunteer groups go in after the English Ivy, a big big problem here in my immediate area.

Great starter list Cedars!! Thanks for contributing.

[Moontanman]

This is a great thread turtle, invasive, naturalized, I like exotic, it pretty much accurately describes any animal that did not occur in any particular area until introduced by humans in some way shape or form. Exotic is more neutral, invasive seems to say they are something horrible and naturalized seems to say they are ok and do no harm or needed to be there somehow.

It needs to be said that all exotic animals do some harm to the original ecology no matter how benign they seem. It has been said that some exotics gain a foothold by exploiting an ecological nich that was empty but I have never seen a demonstration of that. I routinely go with people monitoring the populations of fishes in the states of NC and SC but the people I help with this monitoring have contact with people who do most of the South East USA and much of the rest too.

Goldfish... isnt that just a fancy name for carp?

No, two different species.

Carp a bad invasive species.
Pheasants. There is some debate about whether they are holding back prairie chicken re-establishment.
Cattle.
Pigs.
Isnt the Norway rat an import?
European house sparrow
Starlings
Eurasian Milfoil
Isnt Creeping charlie an import also?
Hawkeye (I think thats what its called) Type of dandylion invading the meadows.
spotted Knapweed (purple flower, kinda thistle shaped).
Tiger mosquitos
Japanese Ash Borer.
Zebra mussles

Cedars list is a good start, exotics have even began to show up in the oceans. Off shore where I live and all along the east cost a Pacific Ocean fish often kept in marine aquariums is now found off shore in reproducing populations. Native Atlantic Sea Board fishes cannot get around the Lion fishes natural defenses and the Lion Fish is highly predatory on the young of natural predators. add to the list

Lion fish
Flathead Catfish
Large Mouth Bass
Peacock Bass
Brown Trout
to name a few and lets not forget the oldest of all.

Cows,
Pigs
Chickens
Horses
Dogs
Cats
Asses
Camels
Rats
Earthworms (European species, introduced to the US)
to name a few more

And last but not least by any means

Homo sapiens!


Exotics are over welmingly frustrating, plants as has been pointed out are among the worst of all. Kudzu can really be a problem!

The main question is what can we do? Most of the people who I know who work with this want education to be more wide spread. The aquarium hobby is beginning to wise up and lots of effort is being put into making pets shops take back fish if the customer doesn't want the fish anymore. Probably too little too late but they are trying. Lots of people think this is important to keep exotic animals from talking hold but the reality is that disease is the biggest concern. Most of the waters of the US are not colonizable by the tropical fish kept by most home aquarists. releasing them into the wild just condemns them to be fish food for natives eventually. But disease is a big concern, an exotic disease could do considerable damage. Fish hatcheries, especially trout hatcheries have a long history with fish disease and what can happen if they are released into the wild. They have released a couple of really bad ones by accident.

The most important this is to keep another exotic from being released, we surely don't need any more grass carp or snake heads for sure. Once established an exotic is next to impossible to remove, often exotics first inhabit polluted or other wise unsuitable habitats and then spread from there. Regular European carp are seldom extremely numerous in healthy waters but a remove competition and they multiply enormously. Most of the worst cold water releases are food or sport fish. Goldfish are one of the few exceptions but are seldom more than rare in most ecosystems. Real "gold" goldfish do not survive in the wild, predators scoop them up fast. Once they reproduce large numbers of the fry do not have the "gold" coloration and are better at "blending in" and can colonize natural waters. I know of no place they have become a problem or even numerous. Italked to quite a few people who go out to catch "wild gold fish" but it's rare for anyone to actually catch one, even in it's dull black minnow natural form.