Invasive Species in the United States

1. Invasive Species in the United States Julie Elmore Tian Liao Ben Mertz

2. Invasive • Non-native species with adverse effects on the local ecology • Have ability to spread rapidly • Often without predators or natural controls • Naturalized • Non-native species which does not exhibit obvious adverse effects on the local ecology • I.E.- the common dandelion What is an Invasive Species?

3. Ecosystem Effects • Threats to native species • 400 Endangered species at risk • Changes in ecosystem functions • Economic Effects • Annual damages of up to $120 Billion • Effect agriculture, forestry, aesthetics, even allergies • Some damages are difficult to measure Why should you care?

4. Introduction by US Government • Erosion Control • Ex. Rosa multiflora, Kudzu • As control for other invasive species • Lack of policies against introducing species • Dutch Elm Disease • Chestnut Blight • Gypsy moth History

5. Preventing introductions • Identify potential invasive species, ban import • Control and Eradication • Quarantine zones • Permits for inter-state movement • Species-specific efforts Policies Today

6. USDA • USFS • APHIS • REE • DoC • NOAA • State Dept. • DOT • USTR • DHS • CBPA • DOI • BIA • BLM • BOR • NPS • FWS • USGS • DOD • EPA • NASA • USAID Alphabet Soup of Federal Agencies

7. Charged with protecting agricultural crops and forests from disease & pests • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Search/ban imports • Some smuggling interdiction efforts • Conducts inspections of domestic agriculture for diseases and pests • USFS • Primary focus on economically damaging diseases and pests • Conducts research on invasive species control & economic effects U.S. Department of Agriculture

8. Oversees Endangered Species Act, Wildlife Refuge system • Has authority to list species as “injurious,” banning entry to U.S. without permit • Primarily focused on preserving protected species & habitats U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

9. NOAA • Marine systems • Great Lakes • DHS • Border enforcement • NASA • Mapping & modeling • USGS • Studies, long-term monitoring • State Department • Negotiate with foreign countries • USAID • International aid, research, collaboration Role of other agencies

11. NISC • Created 1999 • Tasked with streamlining invasive species efforts • Created Invasive Species Management Plan for 2008-2012 • Defines role of each agency • Sets goals for species management Coordinating Agency Efforts

12. Focus on specific ecosystems or species • Generally • State Regulation • Ecoregion collaborations • Cooperative Weed Management Area • Land trusts, other local groups • A more comprehensive look at real policy and management efforts Local and Regional Efforts

13. Zebra Mussels • US Coast Guard requires ballast exchange • Voluntary in 1996, mandatory in 2004 • Asian Carp • Army Corp of Engineers: Electric Barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal • Michigan et al vUS Army Corp of Engineers Great Lakes

14. Isolated island ecology makes it extremely vulnerable • Hawai’i Invasive Species Council • Prevention • Management • Education • Research • Resources ($$) • Inspections • Snake sniffing dogs Hawai’i

15. California • State-wide Council • high number of endemic species • Western US • Multiple sensitive habitats • Important for economic and recreational uses • Florida Everglades • Everglades Forever Act • Water Controls • Numerous other regional efforts • Local non-profits • State management plans Additional Regional Efforts

16. Invasive Species in the United States • Difficulties • Impossible to touch on all important economic species • Policies are often species-specific • Original article a stub • Only contained links to other articles • Used Australian article as template • Issues • Australian article very long • Broken up by multiple long, bulky tables Designing Wiki Article

18. Invasive Species in the United States • Difficulties • Impossible to touch on all important economic species • Policies are often species-specific • Original article a stub • Only contained links to other articles • Used Australian article as template • Issues • Australian article very long • Broken up by multiple long, bulky tables Designing Wiki Article

19. Australian table

20. Not a complete list of species • Concise table of notorious species • Economic impacts • Brief history • Policy overview • Laws, regulations • Agencies • Examples of policy • Includes regional breakdowns • External links for more information Our Article

21. Let’s talk about Invasive Species. Aka: Questions?