Invasive Species To review, an invasive species is a native or exotic species that becomes a pest or a weed. Upper left – Japanese Stilt Grass Upper right.

Presentation on theme: "Invasive Species To review, an invasive species is a native or exotic species that becomes a pest or a weed. Upper left – Japanese Stilt Grass Upper right."— Presentation transcript:

1 Invasive Species To review, an invasive species is a native or exotic species that becomes a pest or a weed. Upper left – Japanese Stilt Grass Upper right – Multiflora Rose Lower left – Gypsy Moth Lower right – Zebra Mussel `

2 Review Native Species - A species which has evolved to adapt to specific conditions in a particular region Exotic Species - Species that have moved into a particular region that they are not native to Invasive Species - An exotic or a native species that causes harm to some aspect of the pre-existing ecosystem

3 Review Methods of Introduction Passive Intentional
Passive introduction is when a plant or an animal is unintentionally introduced to an environment that it is not native to. People or vessels are often the unknowing carriers that transport species from one place to another. Intentional introduction is when a species is transported to a new region purposefully. Species can be intentionally introduced to control another species (Ask Paula), aesthetic purposes (Japanese Knot Weed), and remediation (Common Reed-wetland reclamation).

4 Passive Introduction These species, the Japanese Stilt Grass and the Zebra Mussel, were NOT introduced intentionally Examples of passive introduction: Seeds that are stuck on clothing can be carried to a new region where they may fall off A species can be transported accidentally by attaching to a boat, plane or car and falling off in another area Left Japanese Stilt Grass. Right Zebra Mussel. Detailed stories of introduction are mentioned in slides 5-12.

5 Japanese Stilt Grass Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) Camus
Native to China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and India The addition of a map may be useful to help students conceptualize where this region of the world is located. Additional information regarding identification, habitat, effects, and control are located in the field guide. For access go to

6 How did it get here? In the early 1900’s, Japanese Stilt Grass was used to pack porcelain for shipment. It is believed that this is how stilt grass made its way to the U.S. It was first seen growing in the wild in Tennessee in 1919 and has slowly worked its way to Pennsylvania Porcelain is made by firing a special type of pure clay then glazing it. All of the porcelain from China came from one mine. Examples: plates and doll heads.

7 Effects Out competes native shade dwelling vegetation
Crowds out native forest and wetland vegetation Disturbed area- an area where humans have greatly modified and changed the composition of the land/environment. E.g. heavily forested areas or urban sprawl.

8 Control The most effective method of controlling Japanese Stilt Grass is to prevent disturbing vegetation and soils which helps to prevent further infestation by increasing seed dispersal Small isolated populations can be controlled by hand-pulling and cutting The use of herbicides is always a possibility with several different invasive species, however there are restrictions and guidelines governing the use of application of these compounds.

9 Zebra Mussel Dreissena polymorpha
Native to the Balkans, Poland and the former Soviet Union The first identified populations were found in the Caspian Sea and Ural River in 1769 The addition of a map may be useful to help students conceptualize where this region of the world is located.

10 How did it get here? Introduced through the release of ballast water from one water body into another Can be transported to new waters by attaching to boats; both commercial and recreational Ballast water - the water that a cargo ship takes into its ballast tanks to balance a floating ship. When a ship is reloaded the ballast water is released along with anything including zebra mussels that may have been picked up when the ship filled the tanks thus releasing it into the new environment.

11 Effects Known for their biofouling capabilities, by colonizing in water supply pipes for power plants and water supply plants and in discharge pipes Remove large quantities of plankton from the water when feeding After death, the zebra mussel washes up on to the shore where it decays leaving its shell Zebra Mussels have razor sharp edges which make them dangerous to bare foot beach patrons or anyone trying to remove them. Biofouling-the obstruction of a pipe or other surface by some organism The above picture is an example of biofouling, in which a pipe has been blocked due to the attachment of the zebra mussel. This is a typical problem with pipes located in areas of zebra mussel habitat.

12 Control Manual removal High pressure washing Hand scraping Thermal
Steam injection Creation of conditions leading to Anoxia/ Hypoxia Steam injection remediation - the Pumping of steam into the infected location to kill the pest organism Anoxia and Hypoxia – low or zero oxygen concentrations These conditions lead to the death of the zebra mussel.

13 Intentional Introduction
Introduced purposefully in order to serve a function Examples: Introduced for agricultural reasons Used to combat another environmental problem Introduced for economic reasons Upper picture: Gypsy Moth Lower picture: Multiflora Rose The Gypsy Moth was brought into the country intentionally, however it was not meant to be released into the wild. The moth was intended to be kept in captivity, and used only in an attempt to breed a hardier silk worm (info found on slide 15) . The transportation was intentional but the release was accidental.

14 Gypsy Moth Lymantria dispar
Originated in Europe, Asia and North Africa Survives in climates ranging in temperature from the frigid Russian Steppes to the subtropical shores of the Mediterranean The addition of a map may be useful to help students conceptualize where this region of the world is located.

15 Why was it introduced? The gypsy moth was introduced intentionally by Professor Trovoulet from Massachusetts while he was attempting to breed a hardy silkworm The species escaped by accident when a specimen jar containing gypsy moths fell out of Trovoulet’s window The gypsy moth has flourished and is slowly expanding its range

16 Effects Defoliates hundreds of plant species in North America, but prefers Oak and Aspen trees Severely weakens the tree, often leading to its death and can also reduce nut production reducing food for some animal species This picture displays the gypsy moth caterpillar eating an individual leaf. This would be the effect it has on the entire tree. Neat fact. Oak trees have the ability to re-foliate if they are defolitated early in the growning season.

17 Control Removal of any egg masses that may be on cars, firewood, picnic tables or outdoor furniture before they are moved to a new area Burlap Wrap Burlap wrap method of control: Wrap a 2 inch wide strip of burlap around the tree. Then tie the burlap around the middle with a piece of string allowing the top to fall over. The caterpillars migrate up and down the tree to feed during the night. During the day they will hide in the burlap fold. This makes an easy and efficient way to gather and destroy the caterpillars by soaking them in soapy water.

18 Multiflora Rose Rosa multiflora
Native Range: Japan, Korea and Eastern China Thorny perennial shrub introduced to the East Coast of the U.S. from Japan The addition of a map may be useful to help students conceptualize where this region of the world is located.

19 Why was it introduced? 1866- Used as rootstock for ornamental roses
1930- Used for erosion control and as “living fences” to confine livestock such as cows Also used for wildlife cover for pheasants and the cottontail rabbit. It has also been planted in highway medians as a crash barrier and to reduce headlight glare Erosion control is achieved by the development of a thick root network in the soil. This helps to keep the soil together and prevent it from washing away. Living fences-stretches of dense vegetation that eliminate the need for conventional fencing. This can be seen in both farming as well as roadsides.

20 Effects Creates dense thickets that prevent other native plant species from growing Invades open woodlands, forest edges, fields, pastures, prairies and savannahs that have had land disturbances Multiflora Rose has become a large problem on farms for the above mentioned reasons.

21 Control For small populations, the entire plant and root system can be removed with a shovel Mowing or cutting is used for large populations In some extreme cases, herbicides are used in conjunction with this process Use of herbicides is most times only a last resort when the other methods have failed or for large populations of Multiflora Rose. The use of herbicides is always a option with several invasive species, however there are specific restrictions and guidelines governing the use and application of these compounds, and they should be used carefully and with the knowledge that herbicide will kill all plants in the area that it is applied.

22 Additional examples of Invasive species
Intentionally Introduced Species ▪ Purple Loosestrife, Japan Knot Weed, Garlic Mustard, European Starling ,Tree of Heaven, Tartarian Honeysuckle, Mile-a-minute Accidentally Introduced Species ▪ Ruffe, Round Goby, White Perch, Sea Lamprey More information on these species can be found in the accompanying field guide.