Invasive Species

1. Invasive Species

2. Definition • Invasive alien species are plants, animals, or other organisms that • are introduced to a given area outside their original range and • cause harm in their new home.

3. Because they have no natural enemies to limit their reproduction, they usually spread rampantly.

4. Invasive alien species are recognized as one of the leading threats to biodiversity and impose enormous costs to agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and other human enterprises, as well as to human health.

5. The cost to control invasive species and the damages they inflict upon property and natural resources in the U.S. is estimated at $120 billion annually. • Just one invasive species, the Formosan subterranean termite, is estimated to do $500,000,000 in damage in Louisiana annually.

6. How do they get here? • Boats, planes, accidental or intentional release

7. Invasive Species in Louisiana: A Quick Look • Louisiana has been invaded by a number of harmful exotic plants and animals. Here is a quick look at • some of the worst current and potential invaders:

8. Zebra Mussel • Mollusk • Originated: Caspian Sea (region of Asia) accidentally released into Lake St. Clair in 1988 in ship ballast water • Found in Mississippi through its entire length in LA

9. Damage • Voracious filter feeders that out-compete native animals; fouls boats & clogs intake pipes at power plants and municipal water sources

10. Nutria • Mammal • Originated: South America; escaped captivity in1930s after attempt at ranching for fur • Occur through much of coastal LA & TX, and elsewhere.

11. Damage • Damage sugarcane and rice fields, and cause major damage to coastal marshlands, which are important for flood control and wildlife

13. Fire Ant • Insect • Originated: South America; accidentally introduced to Alabama in 1930s • 300 million acres of Southern U.S., including all of Louisiana!

14. Damage • Aggressive, multiple biter with painful venom and chance of allergy; may also damage electrical boxes, fruits, berries and young crops; ant mounds are a hazard to farm equipment.

15. Formosan Subterranean Termite • Insect • Originated: China and Japan; ships returning from WWII probably brought it to U.S. coastal cities. • Found in 11 states, including most of southern Louisiana.

16. Damage • These termites live in enormous colonies and eat all kinds of wood – trees, telephone poles, and homes. Considered a huge threat to New Orleans’ historic buildings.

17. What is being done? • Trapping and extermination • Task forces established at ports • Limiting ballast releasing • Regulations on pet trade

18. The Pet Trade • Many invasive species are the result of irresponsible pet ownership!! • Escaped/ released • Aquaria dumping, water gardens

19. Biologist Skip Snow handles a python captured in Florida's Everglades National Park. He says the snakes are a threat to five endangered species.

20. Though they're often kept as pets, Nile monitor lizards have gone wild in Cape Coral, Fla., threatening local species.

21. Snakehead’s Story • 28 species • 25 from eastern Asia, 3 from Africa • ability to breathe air and live out of water for days • Snakehead can breathe with both their gills and a lung-like organ that, in fact, requires them to breathe (or gulp) air at the water's surface otherwise they will drown. • Reach 80 cm!!

23. Bought for aquariums or consumption, accidentally/intentionally released in our waterways • Now found in California, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Maryland • voracious predators and with no known natural enemies