Invasive Species

Cause for Concern Economic Costs –$120B per year (USFWS) –Control practices –Maintaining water supplies Biodiversity Loss More than 400 of the over 1,300 species currently protected under the Endangered Species Act, and more than 180 candidate species for listing are considered to be at risk at least partly due to displacement by, competition with, and predation by invasive species USFWS Zebra mussels

Kudzu

Biology of an Invasion Source of the material Terminology: invasive vs. alien Conditions that lead to the invasion

Characteristics of an Invasive Population They tolerate a variety of habitat conditions They grow and reproduce rapidly They compete aggressively for resources (like food, water, and nesting sites) They lack natural enemies or pests in the new ecosystem USFS Asian Carp

Strategies for Control Plants –Physical –Chemical –Biological Animals –Hunting/Collection –Poisons –Ecological Spotted knapweed Cane toad

Restoration Ecology

Restoration projects produce many important ecological and social benefits

Resources for Review Textbook: pages 333 – 334 InvasiveSpecies.gov – Invasive.org – Nine-banded armadillo