Compiled Biological Invasions

Alien species

A species not native to the area under consideration, synonymous with "exotic," "non-native," and "introduced."

Adventive species

A species that has arrived in a new locality but is not yet established there.

Established species

A species that has arrived in a new locality and has one or several reproducing, self-sustaining populations in the new locality.

Executive Order 13112

Signed by Bill Clinton in 1992, defined invasive species as an alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause harm to the economy, environment, or human health. Wrote National Invasive Species Management Plan.

National Invasive Species Council

Established to prevent the introduction of invasive species, provide for their control, and minimize the economic, ecological, and human health impacts.

Stages in Invasion

Includes transport, introduction, establishment, spread, and impact of invasive species.

Pathways of Entry

Natural invasion, intentional introduction, and unintentional introduction are common routes for invasive species to enter new environments.

Factors that make Florida more likely to be invaded

Unique geography, tropical climate, insularity, extensive aquatic habitats, and destruction of native habitats.

Impacts of Invasive Species

Negative ecological, economic, and human health impacts, including changes in fire regimes, biodiversity reduction, and increased soil erosion.

Charles Elton

Known as the Father of invasive species awareness, published "The Ecology of Invasions by Animals and Plants" in 1948, the first to investigate the invasive species problem worldwide.

Dengue Outbreaks in Cairns

Increased outbreaks linked to airport construction since 2000, challenging the notion that Dengue is not endemic in Australia.

Culex Gelidus Mosquitoes

Breed near livestock pens due to high nutrient loads, acting as vectors for Japanese Encephalitis and other flaviviruses in the Northern Territory.

Japanese Encephalitis Symptoms

Include headache, fever, convulsions, coma, and death in serious cases, with a 50% mortality rate and long hospitalization of 14 days.

Vespula Germanica

Exotic wasps causing economic impacts in horticulture, healthcare, and tourism, established in Tasmania in 1959 and mainland Australia in 1977.

Solenopsis Fire Ants

Limited to northern territories with S. geminata and discovered in southern Queensland in 2001 with S. invicta, causing ecological, agricultural, and health problems.

Boophilus Microplus

Most costly invasive arthropod introduced in 1972 from Batavia, impacting calves through blood loss, protozoan parasites, and bacterium transmission.

Papaya Fruit Fly

Detected in 1995, attacking various fruits and vegetables, leading to trade bans and requiring eradication programs like surveillance and toxic bait.

Citrus Canker

Caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis, affecting citrus fruits with lesions, premature leaf drop, and loss of plant vigor, necessitating eradication efforts.

European House Borer

Destructive timber pest detected in Perth in 2004, prompting a national control campaign in 2007 to mitigate its impact.

Non-Indigenous Vertebrates in Australia

Since the 1800s, introduced vertebrates have impacted agriculture, biodiversity, and ecosystems, with strategies for prevention being costly.

Economic Impacts of Weeds in New Zealand

New Zealand faces significant economic costs due to invasive plant species threatening agriculture and biodiversity, with total annual costs reaching 578 million New Zealand dollars.

Defensive Expenditure (DE) and Loss of Economic Output (LEO)

Two key components proposed by Bertram to calculate the total cost of weeds in New Zealand, where DE includes costs for prevention and control, and LEO represents annual production losses due to current infestations.

Gorse

A major weed issue in New Zealand, introduced in the early 19th century, impacting survival of threatened species and pine plantations, with total costs of 38 million New Zealand dollars for site preparation and suppression.

Scotch Broom

The second most important woody weed in New Zealand, with costs totaling 6.6 million New Zealand dollars for control efforts, impacting forestry and conservation lands.

Old Man’s Beard

A destructive vine in forests, causing damage to plantings and potential issues for pine plantations, with biocontrol program costs of 1-2 million dollars over 6 years.

Thistles

Bull thistle, Cirsium vulgare, a major agricultural problem in New Zealand, with estimated costs of 13 million New Zealand dollars for control and management.

Giant Buttercup

A significant weed in dairy pastures, resistant to herbicides, with costs of 145 million New Zealand dollars in 2002 due to impacts on dairy production, requiring bioherbicide development.

Alien Invertebrates in New Zealand

New Zealand faces economic and ecological impacts from alien invertebrate species, with total costs for all pests estimated at 880 million New Zealand dollars, including livestock parasites causing 1.36 billion dollars in losses.

Common Wasp

A widespread invader in New Zealand, competing with native birds and invertebrates for food, leading to population reductions in native species and affecting nutrient cycling, with significant management efforts required to control their impact.

Clover Root Weevil

Discovered in 1996, this pest poses a threat to clover pastures and seedling survival, with economic costs of 300 million New Zealand dollars due to damage to clover roots, necessitating management programs including resistant varieties and biological control methods.

Invasive Species

Species like rudd and koi carp illegally introduced, causing harm to the ecosystem.

Impact on Flora

Possums, deer, and goats negatively affecting native plants through selective browsing.

Faunal Changes

Rats, cats, and stoats acting as agents of change in the fauna of New Zealand.

Threatened Birds

24% of New Zealand's bird species are threatened, with the highest percentage globally.

Economic Costs

Costs of prevention, control, and welfare loss due to pest presence and impact on conservation lands.

Alien Vertebrates

Non-native species like possums, ferrets, and rodents threatening the natural environment and native species.

Control Measures

Prevention through quarantine, border control, and control through research, pest control, and surveillance.

Production Losses

Impact of pests like possums and rabbits on agriculture, forestry, and economy in New Zealand.

Biocontrol Agents

Deliberate introduction of agents like weasels and diseases to control alien vertebrates.

Economic Impact

Estimated costs of all pests and weeds amounting to NZ$3.4 billion, posing a significant drain on the economy.

Introduced Species

Species intentionally or accidentally brought to a new environment outside their native range.

Ornamental Escapees

Species that have escaped from private estates and are considered decorative.

Economic Impacts

Negative effects on the economy due to introduced species, such as consumption of other species or crops.

Environmental Impacts

Effects on the environment caused by introduced species, including competition with native species and disease transmission.

Interbreeding

Breeding between introduced and native species, leading to genetic consequences and potential threats to native populations.

Disease Introduction

Introduction or maintenance of diseases by introduced species, impacting both wildlife and livestock.

Social Dimensions

Cultural associations and public attitudes towards invasive species, affecting management strategies and conservation efforts.

Control and Mitigation Costs

Expenses related to managing and controlling invasive species, including methods like shooting, fencing, and eradication.

Invasion Theory

The concept that the pressure of invasion influences the success of introduced species in establishing populations in new environments.

Invasive Plant Pathogens

Pathogens that affect plants and crops, leading to significant economic losses and environmental impacts.

Potato Brown Rot

Disease caused by the bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum R3 B2, leading to mandatory eradication and quarantine measures, with a native alternate host in the UK.

Dutch Elm Disease

Fungal disease causing significant impacts on elm trees, resulting in the mortality of about 50 million elm trees in the UK and comparable losses in Europe, Asia, and North America.

Fire Blight

Bacterial disease attacking fruit tree orchards, introduced from North America in the 20th century, with a highly virulent nature affecting urban plantings.

Pest Risk Analysis (PRA)

Process evaluating evidence to determine if an organism is a pest, whether to regulate it, and strengthen phytosanitary measures, with guidance provided by ISPM and EFSA performing PRAs for the EU.

Plum Pox (Sharka Disease)

Viral disease threatening prunus spp. like plums, cherries, peaches, apricots, and almonds, discovered in Switzerland in 1967, with significant economic impacts and fruit losses estimated worldwide.

Range Expansion of Mammals

Several mammals, including mink, nutria, sika deer, and raccoon, have expanded their range by 35% since 2000.

Eradication of Localized Species

Species with localized distributions are good candidates for eradication efforts.

Impacts of Siberian Chipmunk

The Siberian chipmunk has impacted grain and nut crops in Italy, UK, Germany, Netherlands, and France.

Bird, Reptile, and Amphibian Introductions

Over 200 bird species have been introduced since 1850, with the highest numbers of non-mammalian vertebrates in western Europe.

Impacts of Alien Birds

Alien breeding bird populations have documented impacts on agriculture, biodiversity, and human health, including economic losses and competitive interactions.

Examples of Bird Biodiversity Impacts

Ducks, geese, swans, and other birds can damage shoreline habitats, pollute water bodies, and compete for breeding sites, leading to genetic introgression and extinction risks.

Economic and Human Impacts of Birds

Birds like Canada geese and pheasants can reduce crop yields, cause airplane collisions, and damage grain crops, impacting both the economy and human health.

Future Predicted Impacts of Invasive Species

Invasive species with certain traits like invading various habitats, producing multiple broods per season, and forming large flocks are predicted to have major impacts in the future.

Impacts of Amphibians

Amphibians like the American bullfrog can invade various habitats, feed on native species, and spread diseases, leading to declines in native populations.

Major Crop Pathogens in Brazil

Pathogens affecting crops like soybeans, maize, common beans, rice, wheat, and small grains in Brazil can cause significant yield losses and production constraints, impacting agricultural practices and economic resources.

Non-native Fish Stocking

Currently forbidden in public waters to prevent displacement of native species.

Tilapia and African Sharp Tooth Catfish

Most widespread exotic fish in Brazil, important in fish culture, and adaptable to tropical climates.

Native Transposed Fish

Movement of native species from the Amazon basin to other regions of Brazil since the 1960s.

Invasive Amphibians

Three frog species considered invasive in Brazil, impacting the ecosystem and constituting a significant portion of the amphibian fauna.

Invasive Reptiles

Five invasive reptile species in Brazil, including Gekkonid lizard, Sand lizard, Teiid lizard, and Water tortoises.

Invasive Birds and Mammals

Four invasive bird species and sixteen invasive mammal species in Brazil, impacting ecosystems and native species.

Invasive Mammals Native to Brazil

Mammals like marmosets, lion tamarins, and rock cavies introduced to different regions within Brazil, negatively affecting native fauna.

Pooled Vertebrate Effects

Only about 2% of Brazil's vertebrates are invasive, with various impacts on native organisms and ecosystems.

Economic Impacts of Invasive Species

Lack of comprehensive economic estimates, but invasive species often cause ecosystem damage exceeding economic benefits.

Invasive Plants on the Indian Subcontinent

Plant invasions accelerated by human activities, impacting biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health in India and neighboring countries.

Rice Blast

A fungal pathogen causing major epidemics and significant yield losses in rice-growing areas globally.

Sunflower Downy Mildew

A fungal pathogen introduced via seed trade, posing a significant constraint to sunflower production.

Maize Downy Mildew

A fungal pathogen causing economic losses in Southeast Asia, with various species affecting maize crops.

Tobacco Black Shank

A fungal pathogen sporadically infecting various types of tobacco under specific conditions, leading to yield losses.

Rice Bacterial Blight

A bacterial pathogen impacting rice production, commonly affecting foliage and causing significant crop losses.

Banana Bunch Top Virus

A viral pathogen introduced from Sri Lanka, affecting banana crops in specific regions of India.

Cotton Leaf Curl Virus

A viral pathogen discovered in northwest India, impacting cotton crops and managed through planting resistant varieties.

Peanut Stripe Virus

A seed-borne virus causing significant crop losses, vectored by aphids and affecting multiple crop hosts.

Potato Cyst Nematode

A nematode pathogen, known as the golden nematode, affecting potato crops in southern India and worldwide.

Invasive Species Criteria

Criteria for invasive species include introduction, establishment of viable populations, and causing economic or environmental harm.

Biocontrol

A cost-effective tactic for reducing the impacts of invasive species by introducing natural enemies to control their population.

Economic Benefits of Biocontrol

Demonstrates the financial advantages of using biocontrol methods to manage invasive species, with significant returns on investment.

Argentine Ant

An invasive species causing environmental impacts by displacing native ants, disrupting mutualism, and affecting pollination in South Africa.

Varroa Mite

A serious bee pest with environmental and economic impacts, capable of causing colony death and affecting pollination of commercial crops.

Spotted Stem Borer

A major pest of cereal crops in South Africa, causing high yield losses and control costs, leading to the adoption of alternative control methods.

Red Scale

A pest of citrus crops with significant economic impacts, including fruit rejection and the need for integrated pest management strategies.

Snail Pests

Invasive species from North America impacting aquatic habitats in South Africa, posing threats to livestock health and acting as intermediate hosts for parasites.

Mediterranean Mussel

A successful marine alien species in South Africa, impacting native species by competing for space and providing habitat for other organisms.

Invasive Vertebrates of South Africa

Highlighting the challenges of balancing economic development with conservation policies when introducing potentially invasive vertebrates into valuable environments.

Freshwater Fishes

Discusses the introduction of alien fish species in South Africa, including reasons such as angling, biological control, aquaculture, and unintentional movements via water transfers.

Invasive Plants

Plants that are introduced to new regions and have negative impacts on native ecosystems, biodiversity, soil structure, and human health.

Alien Plants

Plants that are not native to a specific region and have been introduced intentionally or unintentionally, leading to ecological and economic consequences.

Pathways of Invasion

Various routes through which invasive plants enter new ecosystems, including globalization, importation of commodities, natural spread, and intentional introductions.

Economic Impacts of Invasive Plants

Losses in agricultural production, control costs, market and non-market impacts, and environmental damages caused by invasive plant species.

Plant Pathogens

Microorganisms that cause diseases in plants, impacting crop yields, economic losses, and human livelihoods.