Invasive Species – Invasive Species – The Problem The Problem and and What We Can Do About It What We Can Do About It Phyllis Muska Phyllis Muska Native Plant Society of Texas – Native Plant Society of Texas – Kerrville Chapter Kerrville Chapter January 8, 2013 January 8, 2013
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Invasive Species – Invasive Species – The ProblemThe Problem
and and What We Can Do About ItWhat We Can Do About It
Phyllis MuskaPhyllis Muska
Native Plant Society of Texas – Kerrville Native Plant Society of Texas – Kerrville ChapterChapter
January 8, 2013January 8, 2013
An ‘invasive species’ is a species that is:– non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem
under consideration – aggressive, grows outside of desired
boundaries– outcompetes the natives– likely to cause harm to human health, the
economy, and/or the environment Can be plants, animals, and other organisms Primary means of invasive species
introduction: Human actions/activities
What is an invasive species?What is an invasive species?
Federal definition:
Invasives in TexasInvasives in Texas
More than 122 non-native species, including– 10 mammals – nutria, axis deer, feral hog– 4 birds – European starling, English sparrow– 7 fishes – grass carp– 11 insects – imported fire ant, German
cockroach– 11 mollusks and crustaceans – brown mussel,
brown garden snail– 12 aquatic plants – hydrilla, water hyacinth– 67 terrestrial plants
Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Council (TIPPC)Council (TIPPC)
Unified body to address the threat of invasive species in Texas
Stakeholders/participants:– State and federal agencies– Conservation organizations– Academia– Green industry – Public sector
TIPPCTIPPC
Focus for issues and concerns regarding exotic plants and pests
Exchange of information regarding all aspects of invasive pest and plant biology, distribution, control and management
Awareness and understanding regarding invasives and their control
Expert advice for various interests concerned with invasive pests and plants
An advisory council regarding funding, research, awareness, policy and management of invasive pests and plants
Problem invasives in other parts Problem invasives in other parts of USof US
Great Lakes – zebra mussels, sea lamprey Southeast – kudzu Hawaii – Indian Mongoose Everglades National Park – Giant Burmese
Python Over 2000 types of non-native creatures
imported legally into the US between 2000 and 2004
Why are invasives a problem?Why are invasives a problem?
High control costs – over $137 billion/year in US Loss of resources available to native species,
degrading diversity and wildlife habitat Destruction of special habitat of imperiled species Alter hydrological patterns, soil chemistry, moisture-
holding capacity, and erodibility Can change fire regimes, creating greater fire
hazard Some hybridize with native plant relatives, resulting
in unnatural changes to a plant's genetic makeup Can harbor plant pathogens that can affect both
native and non-native plants Fauna that depend on the native species for their
survival probably will not be able to adapt to the invader
How serious is the problem?How serious is the problem?
“On a global basis . . . the two great destroyers of biodiversity are, first, habitat destruction and second, invasion by exotic species.”
E. O. Wilson
What makes a plant potentially What makes a plant potentially invasive?invasive?
Well adapted to the climate and soils of an area High reproductive success Grows and spreads rapidly Favorable environmental conditions, lack of
natural predators, competitors and diseases
Why do people choose invasive Why do people choose invasive plants?plants?
Invasives can be pretty Easily available and inexpensive Unaware of problems they can cause
When is an ‘exotic’ not a When is an ‘exotic’ not a problem?problem?
Many do not cause harm to the economy, the environment, or our health
Most ‘introduced’ species do not survive Only about 15% of those that do survive
go on to become a problem Well-behaved introduced species include
crepe myrtle, herbs such as Russian sage, Mexican oregano, and rosemary
Some invasives may take Some invasives may take years to become problematicyears to become problematic
Advantages of native plantsAdvantages of native plants
Native plant, animal and insect species work together to keep a balance
Maintain diversity, avoid monocultures Well-adapted to extremes of weather,
climate
Invasive GrassesInvasive Grasses
JohnsongrassJohnsongrass
Considered one of the ten most noxious weeds in the world
Competes with crops
King Ranch bluestemKing Ranch bluestem
BermudagrassBermudagrass
““Improved” grassesImproved” grasses
Klein grass, Dallisgrass, rescuegrass, rattail smutgrass, and other introduced species planted for livestock pasture
Giant caneGiant caneArundo donaxArundo donax
BambooBamboo
Dense stands that exclude other plants from creating an understory
Monocultures like this destroy ecosystems
Alternatives to giant cane and Alternatives to giant cane and bamboobamboo
Texas pistache is an attractive screen with good fall color
Invasive Trees and ShrubsInvasive Trees and Shrubs
Choose native plants Replace invasive plants on your property Be alert to accidental transport of invasives
via shoes and clothing, boats, cars Spread the word about invasive plants Patronize nurseries specializing in natives Ask your local nursery to stock native
varieties Share plants, but make sure you know
what you’re giving or receiving
What Can You Do? cont’d.What Can You Do? cont’d.
Check the contents on seed mixes for invasives
Use ‘certified weed free’ soils and mulches Dispose of invasive plants carefully – bag or
burn For potentially invasive plants that you can’t
part with, harvest and dispose of fruits and seeds before they can spread
Join a volunteer network to help identify and remove invasive plants from natural areas – see http://www.texasinvasives.org for details on Wildflower Center initiative
The goalThe goal
Preserve and restore natural areas that support the beautiful and diverse plants and wildlife native to Central Texas
Prevention: $1 dollar of prevention is worth $100,000 of the cure
Control a little now or deal with a lot later!
ResourcesResources
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – Texas Invasives project http://www.texasinvasives.org/
The Global Invasive Species Initiative http://www.issg.org/
Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests by James H. Millerhttp://www.invasive.org/eastern/srs/
Nature Conservancy’s Global Invasive Species Team: http://www.invasive.org/gist/ /
Invaders – since 2005Invaders – since 2005
www.texasinvasives.org Program developed at Lady Bird Johnson
Wildflower Center Over 1400 citizen scientists trained 40+ satellites across the state Over 17,000 invasive plants documented
and mapped
Want to get involved?Want to get involved?
Join the ‘Texas Invaders’ Go to http://texasinvasives.org Choose ‘Citizen Science’, then ‘Become a Citizen Scientist’ Follow instructions for Voyager online
training Choose ‘Hill Country’ satellite Begin reporting!
Guess who’s coming to dinner?
Texas Monthly’s list of our five tastiest invasives– Black Tiger Shrimp Penaeus monodon
Guess who’s coming to dinner?
Texas Monthly’s list of our five tastiest invasives– Black Tiger Shrimp Penaeus monodon– Bastard Cabbage Rapistrum rugosum
Guess who’s coming to dinner?
Texas Monthly’s list of our five tastiest invasives– Black Tiger Shrimp Penaeus monodon– Bastard Cabbage Rapistrum rugosum– Asian Carp (grass carp) Ctenopharyngodon
idella
Guess who’s coming to dinner?
Texas Monthly’s list of our five tastiest invasives– Black Tiger Shrimp Penaeus monodon– Bastard Cabbage Rapistrum rugosum– Asian Carp (grass carp) Ctenopharyngodon
idella – Nutria Myocastor coypus
Guess who’s coming to dinner?
Texas Monthly’s list of our five tastiest invasives– Black Tiger Shrimp Penaeus monodon– Bastard Cabbage Rapistrum rugosum– Asian Carp (grass carp) Ctenopharyngodon
idella – Nutria Myocastor coypus– Feral pig Sus scrofa
Guess who’s coming to dinner?
Do your part to control unwelcome populations– eat more invasive species!