Gourt > Science > Environment > Biodiversity > Invasive Species (9)
The term invasive species refers to a subset of those species defined as introduced species or non-indigenous species. Invasive species can alter ecological relationships among native species and can affect ecosystem function, economic value of ecosystems, and human health. A species is regarded as invasive if it has been introduced by human action to a location, area, or region where it did not previously occur naturally (i.e., is not native), becomes capable of establishing a breeding population in the new location without further intervention by humans, and spreads widely throughout the new location. Natural range extensions are common in many species, but the rate and magnitude of human-mediated extensions in these species tend to be much larger than natural extensions, and the distances that species can travel to colonize are also often much greater with human agency (Cassey et al. 2005). The majority of introduced species do not cause significant ecological change or environmental harm because they exist primarily in habitats already subjected to intensive human alteration; such species may not be considered 'invasive'.
Introduction
While the majority of introduced plant species pose neither economic nor ecological problems, a few species become invasive and damaging to their new habitat. It is still an open question why certain plant species become such successful invaders; several theories are currently being debated and tested, but there is no one clear, single answer, and little reliable predictive power about the nature and extent of future invasions.
The cost of these invasive plant species can be high. Problems caused by invasive plants cost billions to the global economy every year, mainly from loss of grazing land and reduced crop productivity due to non-native weeds. The cost to the United States alone is an estimated $137 million a year in management and missed economic gain. Ecologically, they can disrupt ecosystem services and disrupt communities by being space-dominant or through impacts on keystone native species. At their worst, invasive plants have the ability to degrade whole ecosystems, both terrestrial and aquatic.
More on [ Invasive species ]
Pest and Disease Control :: Gardening
Pests and Diseases :: Agriculture
Biological Control :: Pests and Diseases
Ecology :: Biology
Conservation and Endangered Species :: Environment
RT @InvasiveNotes: Climate change & invasive species http://bit.ly/4ID9ny
tweetingdonal (Larry Oliver) Mon, 14 Dec 2009 07:00:10 -0000
RT @InvasiveNotes: Climate change & invasive species http://bit.ly/4ID9ny
Invasive News: Evangelical Christians An Invasive Species - Ridiculopathy Daily (satire) http://bit.ly/5JlQY6
National_Ag_Lib (USDA NAL) Mon, 14 Dec 2009 06:19:06 -0000
Invasive News: Evangelical Christians An Invasive Species - Ridiculopathy Daily (satire) http://bit.ly/5JlQY6
Okay teachers: what G or PG movies feature invasive species? It doesn't have to be "about" invasives, just themed with them.
papiojarrod (Jarrod Olson) Mon, 14 Dec 2009 04:18:07 -0000
Okay teachers: what G or PG movies feature invasive species? It doesn't have to be "about" invasives, just themed with them.
USA: Be Careful What You Fish For - Invasive Species & Infrastructure Development (NYTimes) http://bit.ly/6DLnJD #fb
SCB_SSWG (SCB SSWG) Mon, 14 Dec 2009 04:00:55 -0000
USA: Be Careful What You Fish For - Invasive Species & Infrastructure Development (NYTimes) http://bit.ly/6DLnJD #fb
In every ecosytem! RT @InvasiveNotes Climate change and invasive species are global interconnected challenges http://bit.ly/4ID9ny
eclecticechoes (Eric Heupel) Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:58:55 -0000
In every ecosytem! RT @InvasiveNotes Climate change and invasive species are global interconnected challenges http://bit.ly/4ID9ny
Invasive News: Evangelical Christians An Invasive Species - Ridiculopathy Daily (satire): Ridiculopathy Daily (sati... http://bit.ly/4XgNLK
InvasiveInfo (InvasiveSpeciesInfo) Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:02:03 -0000
Invasive News: Evangelical Christians An Invasive Species - Ridiculopathy Daily (satire): Ridiculopathy Daily (sati... http://bit.ly/4XgNLK
Alien Species In Hawaii Information Index - Entry point for information on alien species in Hawaii compiled by the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk (HEAR) Project.
Beware of Invasive Species - Document adapted from USA Department of Transportation sources on control of invasive plant species in highway projects.
Big Island Invasive Species Committee - Progress reports and meeting notes from BIISC regarding work in eliminating invasive species from Hawaii, USA.
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Bureau of Invasive Plant Management of Florida - Administers a program designed to ensure statewide management of aquatic and upland plants and to protect valuable natural ecosystems.
Meta Description: [ Division of State Lands Home Page ]
Environmental And Economic Costs Associated With Non-Indigenous Species in the U.S. - Cornell University research article.
Exotic Introductions - Chapter 9 of Biodiversity and Conservation by Peter J. Bryant. Textbook discussion of exotic species and their ecological impacts, with hyperlinks to other information on the Internet.
Meta Description: [ Chapter 6 of Biodiversity and Conservation, a Hypertext Book by Peter J. Bryant ]
Fact Sheet - Invasive Species - Ecological Society of America fact sheet about invasive species and their environmental and economic impacts. [PDF format]
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Global Invasive Species Database - Describes invasive microorganisms, invertebrates, fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and plants, including their biology, ecology, geography, and eradication and control. Information from experts on biological invasion.
Meta Description: [ The Global Invasive Species Database contains invasive species information supplied by experts on biological invasion from around the world. Species range from micro-organisms and invertebrates to fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and plants. Text, images and maps give biological, ecolog... ]
Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP) - An international team of biologists, natural resource managers, economists, and policy makers is organizing to prepare a global strategy for addressing the invasive species problems.
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Harmful Non-Indigenous Species in the United States - Office of Technology Assessment report
Harmful Non-Native Species: Issues for Congress - Congressional Research Service Issue Brief made available by The Committee For The National Institute For The Environment which deals with whose responsibility it is to ensure the economic and ecological integrity of the nation in response to multi-billion dollar threats posed by harmful nonnative species.
Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk Project - Information about alien species in Hawaiian ecosystems.
Meta Description: [ Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR): invasive species information for Hawaii and the Pacific. The goal of the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk (HEAR) project is to provide resources (technology, methods, and information) to resource managers statewide to aid in the fight against invasive alien... ]
Illinois Natural History Program - INHS research projects in inavasive species and biological control.
Information Management System for Invasive Species - APHIS Raleigh Plant Protection Center. Site has information on noxious weeds, non-indigenous arthropods that have been introduced into North America, and other invasive species regulated by the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
International Programs News - A look at the particular susceptibility of Pacific Island ecosystems to invasive species.
Introduced Species in the UK - A look at the invasive species that have become established in the British isles over the past three hundred years.
Meta Description: [ Introduced and invasive species that have entered the UK since 1700. ]
Invasive and Exotic Species of North America - Images and information about insects, weeds, diseases, biological control agents, and other invasive or exotic organisms.
Meta Description: [ Invasive Species: any species of insects, animals, plants and pathogens, including its seeds, eggs, spores, or other biological material capable of propagating that species, that is not native to that ecosystem; and whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or h... ]
Invasive Non-Native Species - Invasive information from the Eco-Pros
Meta Description: [ High-quality, safe educational website for children, pertaining to the ecology of the environment. Huge list of annotated credible scientific links are provided to help children learn about the earth sciences and how to preserve our environment. Children will be able to explore wildlife, see sp... ]
Invasive Species Fact Sheet - Weeds Gone Wild - Describes the impact of invasive plants and aquatic species in the U.S., and Department of the Interior efforts to combat their introduction and spread.
Invasive Species Links - The Nature Conservancy's national program for dealing with harmful invasive plant species on its preserves.
Meta Description: [ The Nature Conservancy's national program for dealing with harmful invasive species. ]
Invasive Species Program - U.S. Fish and Wildlife - The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
Invasive Species Projects - Information on various projects regarding different invasive species.
Invasivespecies.gov - A comprehensive, online information system that facilitates access to and exchange of invasive species data and resources by researchers, scientists, and concerned citizens. USA only.
Meta Description: [ National Invasive Species Information Center ]
IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group - The ISSG aims to reduce threats to natural ecosystems and the native species they contain - by increasing awareness of invasions, and of ways to prevent, control, or eradicate them.
Meta Description: [ The IUCN/SSC Invasive Species
Specialist Group (ISSG) aims to reduce threats to natural ecosystems
and the native species they contain by increasing awareness of
invasions, and of ways to prevent, control, or eradicate them. ]
Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) - A voluntary partnership of private, government, and non-profit organizations organized to prevent new pest species from becoming established in Maui County and to stop established pests from spreading wherever possible.
Meta Description: [ Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) home page. The Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) is a multiple agency partnership fighting to protect Maui County, Hawaii from invasive plants and animals that threaten our environment, economy, and quality of life. ]
Nuisance or Invasive Species - Information, reports, and data sets on invasive species in the USA.
Meta Description: [ Domain name renewal and affordable web hosting packages from Network Solutions ]
Patuxent's Invasive Species - This includes study of the ecology of introduced species, developing management strategies.
Rideau Canal Waterway - The Pest Page - Information on the various pests in the region.
Sea Grant Nonindigenous Species Site - A national information center that contains a comprehensive collection of research publications and education materials produced by Sea Grant programs and other research institutions across the country on zebra mussels and other aquatic nuisance species found in the Great Lakes.
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TEKTRAN Invasive Species Research - Selected research on invasive plants and species by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) from the TEKTRAN database.
Meta Description: [ Animal Welfare Information Center ]
The Center for Invasive Plant Management - Promotes ecologically based management of invasive plants, with a goal of restoring desired plant communities.
Meta Description: [ A directory to weed and invasive plant identification, management, and control information; weed meetings, grants, noxious weed lists, and more. ]
The Institute for Biological Invasions - Provides access to a searchable database of literature, links to other important invasive species sites, and monthly exotic species profiles.
Meta Description: [ Home Page of Dan Simberloff's Institute for Biological Invasions, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville ]
USGS Research Upsets Conventional Wisdom on Invasive Species Invasions - Article suggests that some invasive species do not displace natives.
Meta Description: [ An archive of the News Releases from the U.S. Geological Survey. ]
Watershed Academy Web - Invasive Non-Native Species - Short primer on invasive species, particularly in aquatic systems, with links to other information. From U.S. EPA.
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