Definition: Threats from non-native and native plants, animals, pathogens/microbes, or genetic materials that have or are predicted to have harmful effects on biodiversity following their introduction, spread and/or increase in abundance
Exposition: We spent a lot of time talking to experts about the subdivisions and phrasing of this class. They would like to restrict the use of “invasive species” to refer to non-native species to keep things simple for policy makers. They recommended using the term “problematic native species” to refer to native species that have become superabundant or otherwise cause problems. If possible, also record the source of the invasive species and/or conditions that exacerbate their effect.
8.1 Invasive Non-Native/Alien Species
Definition: Harmful plants, animals, pathogens and other microbes not originally found within the ecosystem(s) in question and directly or indirectly introduced and spread into it by human activities
Exposition: We are defining non-native/alien/exotic species as those brought either intentionally or accidentally by humans in the last 10,000 years.
Examples:
feral cattle
household pets
zebra mussels
Dutch elm disease or chestnut blight
Miconia tree
introduction of species for biocontrol
chytrid fungus affecting amphibians outside of Africa
8.2 Problematic Native Species
Definition: Harmful plants, animals, or pathogens and other microbes that are originally found within the ecosystem(s) in question, but have become out-of-balance or released directly or indirectly due to human activities
Exposition: It is a bit of a judgment call as to when a species becomes “problematic” (aka outside its natural range of variation). This category could probably be refined over time.
Examples:
overabundant native deer
overabundant algae due to loss of native grazing fish
native plants that hybridize with other plants
plague affecting rodents
8.3 Introduced Genetic Material
Definition: Human altered or transported organisms or genes
Exposition: Hatchery fish are not necessarily invasive species, but they can upset the gene pool of native fish.
8 Invasive & Other Problematic Species & Genes
Definition: Threats from non-native and native plants, animals, pathogens/microbes, or genetic materials that have or are predicted to have harmful effects on biodiversity following their introduction, spread and/or increase in abundance
Exposition: We spent a lot of time talking to experts about the subdivisions and phrasing of this class. They would like to restrict the use of “invasive species” to refer to non-native species to keep things simple for policy makers. They recommended using the term “problematic native species” to refer to native species that have become superabundant or otherwise cause problems. If possible, also record the source of the invasive species and/or conditions that exacerbate their effect.
8.1 Invasive Non-Native/Alien Species
Definition: Harmful plants, animals, pathogens and other microbes not originally found within the ecosystem(s) in question and directly or indirectly introduced and spread into it by human activities
Exposition: We are defining non-native/alien/exotic species as those brought either intentionally or accidentally by humans in the last 10,000 years.
Examples:
8.2 Problematic Native Species
Definition: Harmful plants, animals, or pathogens and other microbes that are originally found within the ecosystem(s) in question, but have become out-of-balance or released directly or indirectly due to human activities
Exposition: It is a bit of a judgment call as to when a species becomes “problematic” (aka outside its natural range of variation). This category could probably be refined over time.
Examples:
8.3 Introduced Genetic Material
Definition: Human altered or transported organisms or genes
Exposition: Hatchery fish are not necessarily invasive species, but they can upset the gene pool of native fish.
Examples: