Lecture 2 Invasive Species

What are non native species

Alien species including seeds, eggs, spores, or other bio material capable of spreading that species that is not native to that ecosystem.

Terms:

Something undesirable (animal +plant)

Organism outside its native range

Indicating ability to spread

Undesirable: Pest/Weed

Outside native range: Alien, exotic, non-native, non-indigenous

Indicating ability to spread: Invasive, noxious

What is a monoculture? Examples?

A plant that dominates one area.

Garlic mustard, purple loosestrife

Describe zebra mussels

Invasive species

Arrived in ballast water

Outcompete natives and clog inlets

Spotted knapweed?

Less food for elk, less elk, less elk predators

Gorse:

Changes soil chemistry by nitrogen fixation

Salt cedar

sucks up water in deserts

Water chestnut

changes water quality: sunlight and oxygen

Describe the process of invasive species.

Species in pathway, transported + released, population established, spread, impact. Less than 10% go from one level to the next

Emerald ash borer

Native to asia

Arrived in cargo shipments (accidental)

Spread by transport of infested firewood

Larvae kill ash trees

West nile virus

From Africa

Accidentally introduced in US (spread by mosquitos)

fatal symptoms

Purple loosestrife

Native to Eurasia

Intentional introduction for medicine/garden

Out compete native plants, decrease food quality for animals

Giant Hogweed

Native to caucus mts

Arrived 1917 intentionally as ornamental plant

Produce toxic skin blistering and blinding sap

Yellow star thistle

Native to Eurasia]

Arrived 1800s accidentally through contaminated seeds

Crowds out native species, toxic to grazing animals

Medusahead grass

Native to mediterranean

Arrived late 1800s through contaminated seeds

Crowd out native species which livestock feed on

Downy Brome

Native to Eurasia

Arrived 1800s accidentally through contaminated seeds

Crowds out native species by establishing monoculture and creates wildfire hazards

Burmese Python

Native to southeast asia

Arrived 200s as intentional pet trade

Preys on native species and outcompetes

Gambian pouched rat

Native to africa/gambia

arrived in 1999 intentionally released by exotic breeder

Is highly destructive to crops and native species

Spiny water flea

Native to eurasia

Arrived 1984 most likely released in ballast water

It is a filter feeder that consumes plankton, outcompetes zooplankton

Gladiolus Rust

Native to south africa

Arrived in 2006 accidentally of clippings of infected gladiolus

Rust fungus can infect grain plants and impact crop production

Zika Virus disease

Native to Uganda, Africa

2016 CDC confirmed presence of Zika in US likely by mosquito

Fever-like symptoms and rarely death, infant effects during pregnancy

Beech Bark disease

Native to likely europe

Arrived with beech scale insect. Introduced in 1930s

Kills american beech trees after being attacked by insect.

Foot and mouth disease

Native to Italy

Arrived with infected animals or meats in 1905

Infects cattle and other livestock which creates a devastating economic effect

Spotted lanternfly

Native to china

Arrived via cargo shipments from China. Spread via transport infested firewood.

Poses serious economic threat to US industries including fruit trees, grapes, and lumber