Joe Prange, Kelvin Roe, Adam Stenner Invasive Species Joe Prange, Kelvin Roe, Adam Stenner

What is it? Plants, animals, or pathogens that are non-native (alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause harm Bullies in nature Giant African Snail Purple Loosestrife

Problems with Invasive Species Invasive species take over an entire area and eliminate biodiversity Chase out our native species They have no natural predator Results in a monoculture

How do they move? Not washing your boat off Moving firewood Catch on your clothes or shoes Dumping bait into another body of water Through roots By seeds Wind or water

Why Should We Care? United States – $137 billion per year Problems to our health Pollen can increase the severity of respiratory allergies Sap can cause skin irritation Venomous bites from different animals Invasive rodents, mosquitoes, and ticks can transmit deadly pathogens

Continued Some increase the severity and frequency of wildfires Alter nutrient availability and water quality Prevent re-growth of trees or other plants Competition for other species Do not provide food

Prevention Inspect your boat, rinse off mud, plants, animals Drain water from boat Dispose of unwanted bait in trash Educate yourself/Learn to identify Report any sightings Make others aware http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/invasives/report.html

Resources http://www.invasivespecies.gov/main_nav/mn_faq.html#prevent_spread https://www.uwgb.edu/Biodiversity/herbarium/invasive_species/lytsal01.htm http://www.slideshare.net/eslaq/invasive-species-powerpoint