Invasive Species and their impacts on the environment

1. Invasive Species and their impacts on the environment

2. Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) Kudzu History: Kudzu was introduced to the United States in 1876 at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Countries were invited to build exhibits to celebrate the 100th birthday of the U.S. The Japanese government constructed a beautiful garden filled with plants from their country. The large leaves and sweet-smelling blooms of kudzu captured the imagination of American gardeners who used the plant for ornamental purposes. Florida nursery operators, Charles and Lillie Pleas, discovered that animals would eat the plant and promoted its use for forage in the 1920s. Their Glen Arden Nursery in Chipley sold kudzu plants through the mail. A historical marker there proudly proclaims "Kudzu Developed Here." During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Soil Conservation Service promoted kudzu for erosion control. Hundreds of young men were given work planting kudzu through the Civilian Conservation Corps. Farmers were paid as much as eight dollars an acre as incentive to plant fields of the vines in the 1940s.

3. Kudzu’s Impact on the Environment Love It, Or Hate It... It Grows On You! While they help prevent erosion, the vines can also destroy valuable forests by preventing trees from getting sunlight. The kudzu invasion has threatened biodiversity of wildlife in Shawnee National Forest. Kudzu kills, smothers, and suppressed other plants beneath its thickly tangled masses of leaves and vines. It girdles trees, breaks branches and even uproots entire trees through the sheer force of its weight. Kudzu forms extensive monotypical patches, alternating or eliminating native plant communities.

4. Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) HISTORY : Alliaria petiolata was first collected in the USA in 1868 on Long Island, New York. It has since spread to 30 eastern/midwestern states and 3 Canadian provinces. Garlic mustard invades forested communities and edge habitats where it rapidly spreads and displaces native herbaceous species. Displacement occurs rapidly, often within 10 years of establishment. (invasion of garlic mustard in a forest)

5. Impacts of Garlic Mustard on the Environment 1. It dominates areas and displaces natives, altering species composition.2. It decreases fuel load for burns.3. Rich soils, disturbed areas such as forests with fallen trees, habitat edges such as roads or streams, and disturbance from trails or agriculture can encourage invasion.4. In North America, it invades wet to dry-mesic deciduous forest and in the partial shade of oak savanna, forest edges, hedgerows, shaded roadsides, and urban areas. It occasionally occurs in full sun. 5. It grows on sand, loam, and clay soils, and has also been found on limestone and sandstone substrates.6. Its seeds can remain viable for 5 years.7. Garlic mustard spreads exclusively by seed. Seeds are spread mostly by floodwaters or on humans, animals, and vehicles. Wind dispersal is minor. and can grow preactically anywhere

6. Cane Toad (Bufo marinus) The cane toad, Bufo marinus, was introduced to Australia by the sugar cane industry to control two pests of sugar cane, the grey backed cane beetle and the frenchie beetle. One hundred and one toads arrived at Edmonton in North Queensland in June 1935. Unseasonal breeding occurred almost immediately, and within 6 months over 60,000 young toads had been released. B. marinus adapted well to the Australian environment and spread throughout coastal Queensland. The rate of spread was accelerated by toads deliberately moved ahead of the advancing front line. In the late 1930s toads were introduced with government sanction into about 11 sugar growing locations in northern and central coastal Queensland. After this date introductions were non-official. Foci in the gulf country, notably at Normanton and Burketown, and in northern New South Wales were started by toads being deliberately released by people. By the early 1980s the cane toad had invaded most of the northeastern Australia

7. Environmental Impact of the Cane Toad They are environmentally challenging breeding machines that have formed a daunting northbound march since they crossed the Queensland/Northern Territory border about 20 years ago.By any stretch of the imagination, cane toads are unpleasant: in the Dry they keep their shelters moist, sometimes through urination, males attempt to copulate with literally anything and females lay up to 50,000 eggs more than once a year. By the end of the current 2000/2001 wet season, cane toads are likely to be in Kakadu. Generally, they will progressively shell shock an unsuspecting environment, in particular they will come close to wiping out native quoll populations, poison large masses of goannas and disturb the food supply of many native animals. Also, there appears to be few predators for all life stages of toads, mainly because of their poison glands (which contains a steroid that affects heart muscle, and thus kills whatever tries to eat them).

8. Wild Boar History: In the 17th century, Sus scrofa became extinct in England and were subsequently reintroduced from mainland Europe for farming. The genetic status of Sus scrofa currently living wild in Britain is undetermined. Hybrids between domestic pigs and wild boar as well as various sub species of European wild boar may make up a component of the free-living population.

9. Impact of the Wild Boar With no natural predators in the UK, the uncontrolled release of Sus scrofa into agricultural land has raised concerns over damage to crops and pasture as well as to land of conservation interest and risks to public safety. DEFRA (MAFF) have also recognised their potential to pass on disease to domestic livestock. The populations establishing in the wild are thought to have escaped from captivity in licensed wild boar farms and private collections.Cereal crops have been found damaged, and pasture land extensively uprooted; enhancing erosion, affecting soil fauna and facilitating invasion by weeds. Sus scrofa are also held responsible for some predation on lambs and possibly transmit diseases to domestic pigs. Physical damage includes debarking trees and causing a risk to human safety, through road accidents and confrontations with the public.

10. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) History: The Water Hyacinth was introduced from its native home in South America to various countries by well-meaning people as an ornamental plant; to the US in the 1880's; to Africa in the 1950's spreading to the Congo, the Nile and Lake Victoria; also in India.

11. Impact of the Water Hyacinth on the Environment IMPACT: The presence of Water Hyacinth disrupts all life on the water. They clog waterways preventing river travel, block irrigation canals, destroy rice fields, ruin fishing grounds. By shading the water, these plants deprived native aquatic plants of sunlight and animals of oxygenated water. As the mats decay, there is a sharp increase in nutrient levels in the water, which spark off algal growths that further reduces oxygen levels.

12. Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) History:This plant is native to Africa, Australia, and parts of Asia but was introduced to Florida in 1960 via the aquarium trade. In the 1990s hydrilla is now well-established in the southern states where control and management costs millions of dollars each year.

13. Impact of the Hydrilla Hydrilla causes major detrimental impacts on water use. In drainage canals it greatly reduces flow, which can result in flooding and damage to canal banks and structures. In irrigation canals it impedes flow and clogs intakes of pumps used for conveying irrigation water. In utility cooling reservoirs it disrupts flow patterns that are necessary for adequate cooling of water. Hydrilla can severely interfere with navigation of both recreational and commercial craft. In addition to interfering with boating by fisherman and waterskiers in recreational waters, hydrilla interferes with swimming, displaces native vegetation communities, and can adversely impact sportfish populations. The economic impacts of these water uses to real estate values, tourism, and user groups can be staggering.

14. ZEBRA MUSSEL

15. ZEBRA MUSSEL ®They were introduced into the Great Lakes accidentally by a boat that was traveling across the ocean. ®They get into water treatment plants and power plants and clog up the system. ®They pile up on beaches after their death and if you step on one you can cut yourself. ®They feed on plankton and significantly reduce the food supply. ®They take the food, space, and oxygen of native species. ®They reproduce so rapidly that they outcompete other species. ®They hang onto native mussels and often smother them to death.

16. Sea Lamprey A fish that has been killed by sea lampreys.

17. Sea Lamprey •They were introduced to the Great Lakes when the Welland Canal in Niagra Falls was completed in 1829. •They attach themselves to fish and feed on their blood and therefore kill the fish. •Sea lampreys kill as many as 18 kilograms of fish during their life cycle. •They affect the fishing industry because the sea lampreys kill so many fish.

18. Water chestnut (Trapa natans)

19. Water chestnut, scientific name (Trapa natansL.), is an annual aquatic plant, with both surfacing and submersed leaves. Surfacing leaves are triangular with toothed edges and an inflated petiole, or leaf stalk, and form a rosette on the water surface. Submersed leaves are feather-like; each leaf is divided into segments that are whorled around the leaf stem. • A true annual, water chestnut reproduces by overwintering seeds. Single-seeded woody fruits produced from pollinated flowers the previous year germinate in early spring. A single seed may give rise to 10 to15 plant rosettes. Each rosette can produce up to 15 to 20 seeds. Ungerminated seeds may remain viable for up to 12 years. However, most seeds probably germinate in the first two years.

20. Water chestnut is a fierce competitor in shallow waters with soft, muddy bottoms. Uncontrolled, it creates nearly impenetrable mats across wide areas of water. In South Lake Champlain, many previously often fished bays are now inaccessible and floating mats of chestnut can create a hazard for boaters. This noxious plant also severely limits the passage of light into the water, a critical element of a well-functioning aquatic ecosystem, reduces oxygen levels which may increase the potential for fish kills, out competes native vegetation and is of little value to wildfowl.

21. Water Chestnut invasion is especially problematic in Lake Champlain:

22. In Lake Champlain, water chestnut currently invades a range of 55 miles, extending from Whitehall, New York in the south north to Charlotte, Vermont. In Vermont, mechanical harvesting and hand removal have been the main means of water chestnut management. Experience has shown that these methods can be successful at controlling and reducing the infestation if infested sites are targeted repeatedly for five or more years. Since water chestnut overwinters entirely by seeds that may remain viable for years, repeated control is critical to deplete seeds in the sediment.

23. Multiflora Rose Rosa multiflora

24. Method of Introduction: Introduced from Japan in 1886 as rootstock for cultivated roses, planting of multiflora rose was encouraged by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service beginning in the 1930's to curb soil erosion. The nursery industry also touted the shrub as a "living fence," to control livestock and create snow barriers along highways. It was promoted by wildlife managers as late as the 1960's as an excellent source of food and cover for wildlife. • Effects: Multiflora rose blooms in May or June. Individual plants may produce up to 500,000 seeds per year. The majority of seedlings emerge near the parent plant from which the seeds fell. Multiflora rose readily invades prairies, savannas, open woodlands, and forest edges. Where it grows in dense thickets, it replaces the surrounding vegetation. • Chemical Control: Manual application of herbicides on freshly cut stems has proven an effective means of control as it can destroy the root system and prevent re-sprouting.

25. Biological Control: Biological methods exist to kill or damage multiflora rose. Rose rosette disease, a native virus vectored by a eriophyid mite (Phyllocoptes frutiphilus), can be fatal. However, it may infect native roses and plums as well as commercially important members of the rose family like apples, some berries, and ornamental roses. • Mechanical Control: In areas where multiflora rose is just beginning to invade, fire can limit its establishment. Scattered populations in high-quality areas can be effectively controlled by complete removal of the plants. All roots must be removed because new plants can grow from severed roots. Mowing with heavy equipment has proven effective, although non-selective. Follow-up monitoring is necessary because new plants may arise from root fragments or previously dormant seeds.

26. Tree Of Heaven Ailanthus altissima

27. AKA: Tree-of-heaven, also known as ailanthus, Chinese sumac, and stinking shumac, is a rapidly growing, deciduous tree in the mostly tropical quassia family (Simaroubaceae). • ECOLOGICAL THREAT/ Effects: Tree-of-heaven is a prolific seed producer, grows rapidly, and can overrun native vegetation. Once established, it can quickly take over a site and form an impenetrable thicket. Ailanthus trees also produces toxins that prevent the establishment of other plant species. The root system is aggressive enough to cause damage to sewers and foundations.  • BACKGROUND: Tree-of-heaven was first introduced to America by a gardener in Philadelphia, PA, in 1784, and by 1840 was commonly available from nurseries.  The species was also brought into California mainly by the Chinese who came to California during the goldrush in the mid-1800s.

28. HABITAT IN THE UNITED STATES: Tree-of-heaven is a common tree in disturbed urban areas, where it sprouts up just about anywhere, including alleys, sidewalks, parking lots, and streets. • Control: Establishing a thick cover of trees (preferably native, and non-invasive) or grass sod will help shade out and discourage establishment of ailanthus seedlings. Targeting large female trees for control will help reduce spread of ailanthus by seed. The most effective method of ailanthus control seems to be through the use of herbicides, which may be applied as a foliar (to the leaves), basal bark, cut stump, or hack and squirt treatment.

29. Asian Long-horned Beetle Anoplaphora glabrpennis

30. Method of Introduction: The asian longhorned beetle (ALB), Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky), is believed to have been introduced into the USA in 1996 from China. It is believed that ALB was brought over in solid wood packing materials such as pallets and crates from China. Threat: This non-native beetle poses a threat to urban and rural forests. Larvae of the beetle tunnel throughout the tree resulting in limb breakage, dieback of the tree crown, and tree death. It is not clear how much damage they could cause but they have a very wide host range and might cause significant die-offs of hardwood trees. • Other Effects: A. glabripennis infestations of urban street and ornamental trees affects the esthetic human environment. Larval tunneling weakens the structure of the tree so that limbs and in some cases entire trees may collapse, posing a danger to pedestrians and vehicles (8). Property values will also likely decrease in areas where ALB spreads and kills trees (Haack, 1997). Furniture, the maple syrup industry and fall color tourism may be affected if ALB can not be eradicated and spreads (4). A. glabripennis has an affinity for hardwood trees, which poses a risk to forest and tree resource industries by reducing the quality of lumber, veneer and wood fiber (1; Haack, 1997).

31. Efforts to Curb population: US regulations state that solid wood packing should be free from bark and live plant pests (2). As of September 1998, solid wood packing from China must undergo treatment by heat, fumigation, or preservatives before entering any US port (8).

32. European Gypsy Moth Lymentria dispar

33. Method Of Introduction: A French naturalist brought the gypsy moth to the United States (Massachusetts) in 1869 for experiments. During his studies some of the caterpillars escaped into his garden and the nearby woods. This initial small population quickly became a very serious pest. Left alone, the Gypsy moth very quickly became established throughout the northeastern quarter of the United States. • Effects: Damage from early instar larvae may resemble shotgun holes in the leaf. As the larvae grow the holes will become larger and feeding will occur along the leaf margin. In the final instar stage the larvae will consume the entire leaf. Things looked grim in 1995. The gypsy moth was rapidly expanding into Virginia. Nationwide, approximately 1.4 million acres were defoliated, with Virginia accounting for 850,000 defoliated acres. With the large oak component in Virginia’s forests, prospects were bleak. • Control: A fungal pathogen Entomophaga maimaiga finally caught up with the moth. E. maimaiga was first observed in New England in 1989 and was experimentally released in Virginia in 1989. In 1995 the moth population’s crash in northern Virginia was largely attributed to the fungus.

34. Introduction: Zebra mussels were introduced into the Great Lakes system in 1985 or 1986 and first turned up in Lake St. Clair. • Effects: High concentrations of zebra mussels were likely contributing to the low dissolved oxygen levels. Water clarity improved dramatically in some part of the Mississippi River in the late summer of 1997 which was likely influenced by the filter feeding activity of zebra mussels. Native mussels are being smothered by high concentrations of mussels that attach themselves to their shells. Zebra mussels have been known to clog the intake pipes in municipal water supplies, causing cities to have to shut off water until pipes could be unclogged. • Control: Most scientists believe that zebra mussels cannot be eradicated, so the goal now is to learn to control or accommodate them. Research is currently identifying economic incentives to prevent the further spread of zebra mussels and alternatives for preventing future introductions of other nonindigenous species.

35. European Green Crab Carcinus maenas

36. Method of Introduction: native of the shores of Europe, the crab has been introduced to western North America, Australia, and South Africa all in the past two decades through transport in ballast water. • Effects:C. Maenas was spotted in Washington state (northwest corner of cont. US) just a few years ago, and the ecology of that area is such that it could decimate Washington's mollusk and oyster populations if it establishes itself.    • Control: option is the barnacle Sacculina carcini, which is specific to Carcinus. S. carcini is known as a parasitic castrator, because it makes the host sterile by attaching to the gonads and using them to incubate its own offspring .

37. Red Imported Fire AntSolenopsis invicta • RIFA colonies are extremely productive compared to other ant species, and grow rapidly. Worker ant densities can average up to 1500-3000 ants/m2. Workers are armed with a powerful sting, which they use both for defense and to subdue prey. • In infested areas, they threaten injury or death to livestock, pets, and wildlife. RIFA damage crops, ornamental plants, electrical equipment, and irrigation systems, and also cause serious declines in biodiversity. Since they are impossible to eradicate once established, repeated pesticide treatments are needed to maintain reduced ant numbers and protect human health. These treatments can be costly. • The RIFA has not been too good for business, either. For commercial plant producers, the regulations associated with shipping infested material to uninfested areas add significant costs. • In agriculture, the RIFA frequently invades soybean crops and heavy infestations yield fewer soybeans In Georgia and North Carolina, it has been reported that RIFA mounds caused direct interference with combine operation resulting in 16.8 to 49.1 kg/ha of soybeans to not be harvested. • It has also been reported that the RIFA could cause as much as $156.4 million dollars in losses for soybean crops. • Opportunistic feeding on the young tender growth by red imported fire ant occurs throughout the year and can cause significant damage not only to soybean crops, but citrus, corn, okra, bean, etc. Monetary losses occur when RIFA interfere with the root system of the plant, mechanically disable combine operation, or feed on the young growth of plants.

38. The latest exotic species to invade the Great Lakes is a diminutive fish from the Black and Caspian seas area • Their rapid spread was facilitated by the ballast water transfer from ocean-going ships in the Great Lakes. The presence of gobies in the Calumet River means that they have direct access to the Illinois and Mississippi river drainages, and thus to a large geographic range.

39. Round gobies are natural predators of zebra mussels and a substantial proportion of their diet in the Great Lakes is composed of zebra mussels. This suggests that round gobies probably will be able to invade many regions of the Great Lakes, and may displace native species by outcompeting them for shared resources of food and habitat. • Gobies are able to deeply penetrate the interstitial spaces in cobble substrates and thus, they are effective predators of lake trout eggs • Gobies have both the potential population densities and the appetite to pose a serious threat to lake trout reproductive success.

40. Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) are predaceous, eel-like fish native to the coastal regions of both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. • They entered the Great Lakes through the Welland Canal about 1921. They contributed greatly to the decline of whitefish and lake trout in the Great Lakes. Since 1956, the governments of the United States and Canada, working jointly through the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, have implemented a successful sea lamprey control program.