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INVASIVE SPECIES ENV 101 February 21, 2008

INVASIVE SPECIES ENV 101 February 21, 2008. Introduction. Eric Proctor Environmental Education Coordinator Former classroom teacher (middle school science/social studies) Arizona Game and Fish Department State agency responsible for the management of wildlife in Arizona. Definitions.

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INVASIVE SPECIES ENV 101 February 21, 2008

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  1. INVASIVE SPECIES ENV 101 February 21, 2008

  2. Introduction • Eric Proctor • Environmental Education Coordinator • Former classroom teacher (middle school science/social studies) • Arizona Game and Fish Department • State agency responsible for the management of wildlife in Arizona

  3. Definitions Native Species Non-native Species Invasive Species An organism that occurs naturally in an area, typically before humans An organism that originates in one location and is imported to a new location, introduced, exotic, alien, non-indigenous Non-native species that outcompete native species, noxious, nuisance

  4. Arizona’s Most Wanted

  5. How many crayfish can you find in this photo?

  6. Impacts of Invasive Species • 50,000 invasives established in US • Total cost of $138 billion annually • Lost agricultural production • Decreased tourism and recreation • Does not include environmental losses and human health • Invasive species is the second most serious threat to biodiversity • Only real way to control is to prevent them from entering in the first place

  7. Impacts of Invasive Species PLANTS • 25,000 non-natives have escaped cultivation • $20 billion in ‘90s for control and management • Severely change the fire regime and nutrient cycles FISH • May cost $6 billion annually • Increase water turbidity and reduce native vegetation • Dilute genetic pool

  8. Impacts of Invasive Species BIRDS • 10% of US species introduced • 95% of those cause damage to property and crops and spread disease • Pigeons carry over 50 known diseases and cost over $1 billion per year to control MAMMALS • Rats destroy more than $19 billion in grain per year • Feral cats kill about 465 million birds per year • Feral dogs cause about $10 million per year in loss to livestock each year

  9. Impacts of Invasive Species MOLLUSKS • Zebra mussel already costs about $5 billion/year in control and repairs • Expected to invade most fresh water bodies by 2020 ARTHROPODS • 4500 arthropods introduced into US • Red imported fire ant kills livestock at a cost of $1 billion/year • Bark beetles have destroyed 2-3% of Arizona’s forests, some areas have 90% tree loss

  10. Impacts of Invasive Species HUMANS • Smallpox, HIV/AIDS, syphilis, cholera, and “bird flu” are all invasive • Cost to treat newborns with syphilis: $18 million/year • Cost to treat US AIDS patients: $8 billion/year

  11. Tracking and Predicting Movement Quagga Mussels in Arizona • January 2007 – Detected in Lake Mead • Later detected in Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu • Fall 2007 – Detected in CAP canal in Scottsdale • December 2007 – Detected in Lake Pleasant In your opinion: • How are they moving? • Where else might they be but not yet discovered? • Where might we expect them to travel during the next year?

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