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Invasive Species in the United States outline

Summary

Invasive species are a significant threat to many native habitats and species of the United States and a significant cost to agriculture, forestry, and recreation. The term "invasive species" can refer to introduced or naturalized species, feral species, or introduced diseases. Some species, such as the dandelion, while non-native, do not cause significant economic or ecologic damage and are not widely considered as invasive. Overall, it is estimated that 50,000 non-native species have been introduced to the United States, including livestock, crops, pets, and other non-invasive species. Economic damages associated with invasive species' effects and control costs are estimated at $120 billion per year. [1]


To include:

  • Definition
  • Invasive vs naturalized, feral
  • Extent - in terms of species, overall cost to economy

Notable Invasive Species

For a more complete list of invasive species, see List of invasive species in North America

Picture Name Species Name Introduced Control Measures Notes
Kudzu Pueraria lobata Southern U.S. Mowing, herbicides Known as "The vine that ate the south", forms dense monocultures that outcompete native ground cover and forest trees. Can grow by up to one foot a day
Zebra Mussels Dreissena polymorpha Great Lakes, U.S. waterways & lakes Ballast water transport bans, manual removal from clogged pipes Initially spread by ballast tanks of oceangoing vessels on the Great Lakes, now spread lake-to-lake by trailer-drawn boats. May be a source of avian botulism in the Great Lakes region
European Starlings Sturnus vulgaris Lower 48 states Hunting, trapping Introduced in 19th century as part of an effort to bring all species mentioned in Shakespeare's works to the United States
Brown Tree Snake Boiga irregularis Guam Dog-sniffing of incoming ships, Paracetamol as poison Has reached densities on Guam of up to 100 snakes per hectare, caused extinction on Guam of at least 12 bird species
Burmese Pythons Python molarus Everglades Hunting season created Introduced by releases of pet snakes
Africanized bee Apis hybrid Southwestern U.S. Cold weather has limited spread Hybrid of African and European honeybees created in Brazil in the 1950's, described as "Killer bees" but no more poisonous than common honeybee
Asian Carp Multiple Mississippi River and tributaries Rotenone poison, electric barriers Have the habit of jumping out of the water, which can injure boaters. Introduced to eat algae in fish ponds in Southern U.S., escaped during flood events
Emerald Ash Borer Agrilus planipennis Eastern U.S. Culling infected stands, bans on firewood transport Threatens to severely reduce or eliminate the ash lumber industry of U.S., with an estimated value of $25.1 billion per year
Multiflora Rose Rosa multiflora Eastern U.S. Manual removal, herbicides [2] Introduced for erosion control and promoted as a "living fence" to attract wildlife, now competes with native understory plants
Spiny Water Flea Byothrephes longimanus Great Lakes Ballast water transport bans Competes with native fish for prey, spines prevent many native fish from eating it as prey

Economic Impacts of Invasive Species

The economic impacts of invasive species can be difficult to estimate, especially when an invasive species does not effect economically important native species. This is due in part to the difficulty in determining the non-use value of native habitats damaged by invasive species, and in part to incomplete knowledge of the effects of all of the invasive species present in the U.S. Estimates for the damages caused by well-known species can vary as well. The OTA has estimated zebra mussel economic effects at $300,000 a year, while an ACoE study put the number at $1 billion. Estimates of total yearly costs due to invasive species range from $1.1 billion per year to $120 billion per year [3]

Government Polices & Management Efforts

The federal government has historically promoted the introduction and widespread distribution of species that would become invasive, including Multiflora rose, Kudzu, and others for numerous reasons. Before the 20th century, numerous species were imported and released without government oversight, such as the Gypsy moth and House Sparrow. Over 50% of flora recognized as invasive or noxious weeds were deliberately introduced to the United States, by either government policy or individuals. [4]

Dutch elm disease was introduced accidentally through imported lumber in 1928

Government regulations designed to prevent potentially damaging plants, animals, and pests began in the early 20th century, at first focused on preventing damage to agriculture and forestry.

Regulations Designed to Prevent Entry of an Invasive Species

-- i could stand to retitle this section!

The Lacey Act of 1900, originally designed to protect game wildlife, its role has increased to prohibit parties from bringing non-native species that have the potential to become invasive into the United States. The Lacey Act gives the FWS the power to list a species as "injurious" and regulate or prohibit its entry into the U.S. [5] The Alien Species Prevention and Enforcement Act of 1992 makes it illegal to transport a plant or animal deemed injurious into the United States through the mail.

The USDA is also involved in preventing the introduction of invasive species, largely through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS. APHIS was originally tasked with preventing damage to agriculture and forestry from alien species, pests, or diseases, but has had its mission expanded to include preventing invasive species spread as well. [6] This includes identifying potential pests and diseases, assisting in international and domestic eradication efforts, and the Smuggling Interdiction and Trade Compliance Program, designed initially to deal with illegally imported produce, but now tasked with preventing the entry of exotic pests, diseases, and potentially invasive species. [7] APHIS also enforces bans against interstate transport of pests, diseases, and species listed as injurious, noxious weeds, or nuisance species.

Regulations Designed to Control Spread or Eradicate Invasive Species Already Present

Reducing inadvertent transport

Many invasive species are spread inadvertently by human activities, such as seeds stuck to clothing or mud transporting firewood, or through ballast water. The government has instituted several different policies related to different pathways the invasive species may be spread. For example, quarantines on a federal and state level exist for firewood across the Eastern United States in an attempt to halt the spread of the Emerald ash borer, Gypsy moth, oak wilt, and others. Transporting firewood can result in a fine of up to $1,000,000 and 25 years in jail. [8]

Education and outreach

Warning signs like these are a first-line defense against the expansion of easily-spread invasive species, such as the Zebra mussel

Many of the policies used to contain invasive species, such as firewood transport bans or cleaning shoes and clothes after hiking are effective only when the general public knows of their existence and importance. Because of this numerous programs to inform the public about invasive species. This includes placing signs at boat ramps, campsites, state borders, hiking trails, and numerous other locations as reminders of policies and potential fines associated with breaking policies. There are also numerous government programs aimed at educating children [9], promoting volunteer efforts at removal, and the many ways citizens can prevent the spread of invasive species [10]

Inter-Department Cooperation

Invasive species control is not overseen by one government agency. Rather, different invasive species are controlled by different agencies. For example, policies aimed at controlling the Emerald Ash Borer are undertaken by the USDA, because the National Forests it effects are a section of the Department of Agriculture. [11] The National Invasive Species Council was created by executive order in 1999 and charged with promoting efficiency and coordination between the numerous federal invasive species prevention and control policies. The NISC is co-chaired by the secretaries of the three federal departments that are charged with invasive species control: Interior, Agriculture, and Commerce. [12]

Note: It might be interesting to put information about Cooperative Weed (or Invasive Species) Management Areas here. Though it could also be put in regional section.

Regional/State/Local Efforts at Control/Prevention

  • Great Lakes: Current efforts in the Great Lakes ecoregion focus on measures that prevent the introduction of invasive species. As a major transport area, a number of invasive species have already been established within the Great Lakes. In 1998, the United States Coast Guard, in accordance with the National Invasive Species Act of 1996, established a set of voluntary ballast water management program. In 2004 this voluntary program became mandatory for every ship entering US controlled waters. [13] Current measures are among the most stringent in the world and require ships entering from outside the Exclusive Economic Zone to flush ballast water in open seas or retain their ballast water for the length of their stay in the Great Lakes. [14] [15] Failure to comply with the US Coast Guards regulations can result in a class C felony. [16]

Another preventative measure in the Great Lakes region is the presence of an electrified barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The barrier is meant to keep Asian Carp from reaching Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes. On December 2, 2010, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin were denied their request to force the closing the Canal by Judge Robert Dow of the United States District Court for Northern District of Illinois. [17] [18] The closing of the Canal would have once again permanently separated Lake Michigan and the Mississippi river system. States argued that the canal, and the Asian Carp in it, posed a risk to $7 billion worth of industry. [19] Currently the electric barrier is the only preventative measure and some question its effectiveness, particularly following the discovery of Asian Carp DNA past the barrier. [20]

  • Hawaii: State measures within Hawaii to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species is coordinated by the Hawaii Invasive Species Council. [21] Currently the council is broken into five committees which focus on different areas of invasive species control. These focus areas are (1) prevention (2) management of established pests (3) increased public awareness (4) research and technology and (5) monetary resources. Preventative measures include inspections of all plant and animal transports from the mainland and between islands. [22] There is also a hotline for reporting sitings of known potential invaders like the brown tree snake. [23]
  • Rocky Mountain Region: The USDA Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS) has a specific Invasive Species Working Group [24] to do the research about the invasive species in Rocky Mountain region. The Invasive Species Working Group focuses on four key areas: (1) prediction and prevention, (2) early detection and rapid response, (3) control and management, and (4) restoration and rehabilitation. [25] Invasive species of particular concern in Rocky Mountain region include: cheatgrass; leafy spurge; tansy ragwort; spotted knapweed; bufflegrass; saltcedar; white pine blister rust; Armillaria root disease pathogens; rainbow; brook and brown trout; golden algae; spruce aphid; and banded elm bark beetle. [26]
  • California : California has more comprehensive policy system towards invasive species, including Invasive Species Council of California (ISCC), California Invasive Species Advisory Committee (CISAC) and California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC).
  1. 1 The ISCC represents the highest level of leadership and authority in state government regarding invasive species. The ISCC is an inter-agency council that helps to coordinate and ensure complementary, cost-efficient, environmentally sound and effective state activities regarding invasive species. The ISCC was established February 10, 2009. The ISCC approved the ISCC By-Laws and California Invasive Species Advisory Committee Charter on April 8, 2009. The Invasive Species Council of California is chaired by the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture and vice-chaired by the Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency. Its members also include Secretaries from the following agencies:
   * California Environmental Protection Agency;
   * California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency;
   * California Health and Human Services Agency; and
   * California Emergency Management Agency.

[27]

  1. 2 The CISAC was created by the ISCC on April 8, 2009, to advise the council and develop recommendations. The CISAC will provide its advice based upon input from and cooperation with other stakeholders and existing organizations addressing invasive species issues. The CISAC Charter lays out the body’s duties and structure.The ISCC appointed the twenty-four members of the CISAC to serve as representatives of a broad range of constituencies. The CISAC met on September 24 and 25, 2009, to begin its work (see September 2009 meeting agenda). Working groups formed to focus on several tasks. CISAC's first task, which is ongoing, was to develop a statewide "living list" of invasive species. The second effort, now in progress, was to develop a Strategic Framework for addressing invasive species in the State. Concurrent with these efforts is a discussion about engaging public participation in decision making. CISAC members are committed to helping steward the resources shared by all Californians, and has adopted a statement of principles to frame its work.

[28]

  1. 3 Cal-IPC's mission is to protect California wildlands from invasive plants through restoration, research and education.

Cal-IPC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a board of directors who work with staff on programs and strategic direction. Cal-IPC formed in 1992 to address one of California's top environmental threats. We work closely with agencies, industry and other nonprofit organizations. Our active membership includes public and private land managers, ecological consultants and researchers, planners, volunteer stewards, and concerned citizens. Allied invasive plant councils exist in many other states, though Cal-IPC has the largest membership. [29]

  • Others TBD
    • California/West Coast, Everglades, Southern U.S., Rocky Mountains, Appalachia, etc

References

  1. ^ David Pimentel, Rodolfo Zuniga, Doug Morrison. Update on the environmental and economic costs associated with alien-invasive species in the United States. Ecological Economics. 52 (2005) 273-288.
  2. ^ http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/multiflorarose.shtml
  3. ^ David Pimentel, Rodolfo Zuniga, Doug Morrison. Update on the environmental and economic costs associated with alien-invasive species in the United States. Ecological Economics. 52 (2005) 273-288.
  4. ^ The United States Naturalized Flora: Largely the Product of Deliberate Introductions Richard N. Mack and Marianne Erneberg. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Vol. 89, No. 2 (Spring, 2002), pp. 176-189
  5. ^ "Nation marks Lacey Act centennial, 100 years of federal wildlife law enforcement. US Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved on July 7, 2010.
  6. ^ http://www.aphis.usda.gov/about_aphis/
  7. ^ http://www.aphis.usda.gov/international_safeguarding/sitc/index.shtml
  8. ^ http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/firewood/
  9. ^ http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/toolkit/outreach.shtml
  10. ^ http://www.fws.gov/invasives/what-you-can-do.html
  11. ^ http://www.stopthebeetle.info/
  12. ^ Emerton, L. and G. Howard, 2008, A Toolkit for the Economic Analysis of Invasive Species. Global Invasive Species Programme, Nairobi.
  13. ^ http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg522/cg5224/bwm.asp
  14. ^ http://www.greatlakes-seaway.com/en/environment/ballast-water/index.html
  15. ^ http://serc.si.edu/labs/marine_invasions/vector_ecology/bw_exchange.aspx
  16. ^ http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg522/cg5224/ans.asp
  17. ^ http://www.greatlakeslaw.org/blog/2010/12/another-setback-in-the-legal-fight-to-keep-asian-carp-out-of-the-great-lakes.html
  18. ^ http://www.greatlakeslaw.org/files/dist_ct_pi_opinion_order.pdf
  19. ^ http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/80731962.html
  20. ^ http://www.twincities.com/ci_17798637?nclick_check=1
  21. ^ http://www.hawaiiinvasivespecies.org/hisc/
  22. ^ http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/pi/pq
  23. ^ http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/pi/pq/bts
  24. ^ http://www.rmrs.nau.edu/invasive_species/iswg.php
  25. ^ http://www.rmrs.nau.edu/invasive_species/
  26. ^ http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs_other/rmrs_2009_butler_j001.pdf
  27. ^ http://www.iscc.ca.gov/
  28. ^ http://www.iscc.ca.gov/cisac.html
  29. ^ http://www.cal-ipc.org/about/mission.php

Peer Review

I know this article is still under construction, so I'm sure you're aware of much of what I'm going to write. You have a very thorough outline. Before you write too much about specific invasive species, I'd check the wikipedia entry on those species. They may already have a good blurb about the problems from invading new areas, so you may not have to write much in these sections at all.

Some kind of intro before the table of contents would be helpful. Regarding the article's structure - do you need as many headings as you have? It may make sense to have a more limited article than what you currently have. Generally I think the outline is very comprehensive, and where you have text, it is excellent. Sean.giambattista (talk) 16:37, 19 April 2011 (UTC)

Pretty much ditto with the previous peer review. I would like to add that in each of the sections titled "Bird", "Plants", "Mammals", "Aquatic Invasive Species", and "Others" that you try just making a list of species. Then you can link to other pages with each of the species listed. Also, be sure when you go back and update the page that the summary focuses on an overview and does not name too many specifics. To add to the previous comment about headings, maybe you could consolidate the sections. It'll make things seem less daunting in my opinion. Ztruidium (talk) 17:18, 19 April 2011 (UTC)

Thanks for the input guys. I'm working on streamlining the sections already posted. As for listing species, there's already a very thorough list of species, divided by type, on a separate page, so we thought that doing a table of a few more well-known species would be informative without being redundant. the goal is something similar to Invasive species in Australia, but much less bulky. Basically, the name, picture, where, and what's done to try to control it. Bkmertz (talk) 01:49, 21 April 2011 (UTC)

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