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Invasive Species And Climate Change, Invasive Species Advisory Committee

National Invasive Species Council

ISSUE

Climate change interacts with and can often amplify the negative impacts of invasive species. These interactions are not fully appreciated or understood. They can result in threats to critical ecosystem functions on which our food system and other essential provisions and services depend as well as increase threats to human health. The Invasive Species Advisory Committee to the National Invasive Species Council recognizes the Administration’s commitment to dealing proactively with global climate change. However, unless we recognize and act on the impact of climate change and its interaction with ecosystems and invasive species, we will fall further behind in …

Behavioral Flexibility And Species Invasions: The Adaptive Flexibility Hypothesis, T. F. Wright, J. R. Eberhard, E. A. Hobson, M. L. Avery, M. A. Russello

Faculty Publications

Behavioral flexibility is an important adaptive response to changing environments for many animal species. Such plasticity may also promote the invasion of novel habitats by introduced species by providing them with the ability to expand or change their ecological niche, a longstanding idea with recent empirical support. At the individual level, flexibility may arise through innovation, in which an individual invents a new behavior, or through social learning, in which an individual adopts a behavior used by others. There is increasing evidence that the adaptive value of these two modes of learning, and the overall expression of behavioral flexibility, may …

Variation In Sound Production Of The Blue Catfish, Ictalurus Furcatus., Zachary Ghahramani

Theses and Dissertations

The blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus, is an invasive species introduced to Virginia in 1974 and is the largest catfish in the United States. Like other Ictalurids, they are capable of producing disturbance calls via stridulation of the pectoral spine. These sounds can be made in air and water, and catfish can be preyed upon by both aerial and underwater predators. I characterized these putative distress calls by recording them in air and in the fish’s natural habitat. Sounds exhibited a wide variation in acoustic parameters relative to fish ontogeny: larger fish produced higher amplitude sounds with lower frequency bands. Sweep …

Impacts Of Environmental Factors And Shellfish Practices On The Mont-St-Michel Bay Ecosystem (France). A Modelling Study Involving Scientists And Local Stakeholders., Philippe Cugier, Caroline Struski, Karine Grangere, Michel Blanchard, Katia Frangoudès, Thierry Robin, José Pérez, Rémi Mongruel, Joseph Mazurié, Patrick Le Mao, Guy Fontenelle

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

The macro-benthic communities of Mont-Saint-Michel Bay, located in the Norman-Breton Gulf (English Channel) along the French coast, are mainly dominated by filter-feeders which include cultivated species (oysters and mussels). The decline in shellfish farms production and the significant spreading of the invasive slipper-limpet Crepidula fornicata have conducted scientists and stakeholders to undertake a reflexion on the trophic balance between cultivated and wild (native or invasive non-native) filterfeeders. An ecological model of the bay was developed, coupling a 2D hydro-sedimentary model along with biological models for primary production and filter-feeder growth. The objectives of the project were first to provide indicators …

Impacts Of Environmental Factors And Shellfish Practices On The Mont-St-Michel Bay Ecosystem (France). A Modelling Study Involving Scientists And Local Stakeholders., Philippe Cugier, Caroline Struski, Karine Grangere, Michel Blanchard, Katia Frangoudès, Thierry Robin, José Pérez, Rémi Mongruel, Joseph Mazurié, Patrick Le Mao, Guy Fontenelle

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

The macro-benthic communities of Mont-Saint-Michel Bay, located in the Norman-Breton Gulf (English Channel) along the French coast, are mainly dominated by filter-feeders which include cultivated species (oysters and mussels). The decline in shellfish farms production and the significant spreading of the invasive slipper-limpet Crepidula fornicata have conducted scientists and stakeholders to undertake a reflexion on the trophic balance between cultivated and wild (native or invasive non-native) filterfeeders. An ecological model of the bay was developed, coupling a 2D hydro-sedimentary model along with biological models for primary production and filter-feeder growth. The objectives of the project were first to provide indicators …

Transient Social-Ecological Stability: The Effects Of Invasive Species And Ecosystem Restoration On Nutrient Management Compromise In Lake Erie, Eric D. Roy, Jay F. Martin, Elena G. Irwin, Joseph D. Conroy, David A. Culver

Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources Faculty Publications

Together, lake ecosystems and local human activity form complex social-ecological systems (SESs) characterized by feedback loops and discontinuous change. Researchers in diverse fields have suggested that complex systems do not have single stable equilibria in the long term because of inevitable perturbation. During this study, we sought to address the general question of whether or not stable social-ecological equilibria exist in highly stressed and managed lacustrine systems. Using an integrated human-biophysical model, we investigated the impacts of a species invasion and ecosystem restoration on SES equilibrium, defined here as a compromise in phosphorus management among opposing stakeholders, in western Lake …

Invasive Species And Public Investment In The Green Economy, Invasive Species Advisory Committee

National Invasive Species Council

Invasive Species and Public Investment in the Green Economy, approved by ISAC on June 24, 2010

ISSUE

Invasive species are intricately linked to the economy. Trade, travel, and transport facilitate their spread. Invasive species management requires extensive human and financial resources. The impacts of invasive species can substantially undermine economic growth and sustainable development. United States Executive Order (EO) 13112 defines invasive species as “alien [non-native] species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health” and states that Federal agencies should …“not authorize, fund, or carry out actions that are likely …

Marine Bioinvasions And Climate Change, James T. Carlton, Sandra C. Lindstrom, Celia M. Smith, Jennifer E. Smith

National Invasive Species Council

BACKGROUND

Invasive species are second only to habitat destruction as the greatest cause of species endangerment and global biodiversity loss. Invasive species can cause severe and permanent damage to the ecosystems they invade. Consequences of invasion include competition with or predation upon native species, hybridization, carrying or supporting harmful pathogens and parasites that may affect wildlife and human health, disturbing ecosystem function through alteration of food webs and nutrient recycling rates, acting as ecosystem engineers and altering habitat structure, and degradation of the aesthetic quality of our natural resources. In many cases we may not fully know the native animals …

Slides: Grazing On The Public Lands, William G. Myers Iii

The Past, Present, and Future of Our Public Lands: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Public Land Law Review Commission’s Report, One Third of the Nation’s Land (Martz Summer Conference, June 2-4)

Presenter: William G. Myers III, Partner, Holland & Hart; former Solicitor of the U.S. Department of the Interior (Boise, ID)

8 slides

Slides: Celebrating Flpma: Land Use Planning At The Blm, Marcilynn Burke

The Past, Present, and Future of Our Public Lands: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Public Land Law Review Commission’s Report, One Third of the Nation’s Land (Martz Summer Conference, June 2-4)

Presenter: Marcilynn Burke, BLM Deputy Director - Programs and Policy, U.S. Dept. of the Interior, (Washington, D.C.)

30 slides

Taxonomy, Biogeography And Pest Status Of Marmara Sp. In Northern Mexico And California Citrus Production, Paul Semet

Master's Theses

A novel lepidopteran sex pheromone lure which was thought to be species-specific to the citrus pest Marmara gulosa (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) Guillén (McElfresh et al. 2009) has attracted male moths exhibiting two distinct morphologies. The morphological features examined were the sclerotized parts that make up the male genitalia; which include the valvular lobes, costal lobes, cucullar lobes, and the aedeagus. The sclerotized parts were methodically dissected and mounted on microscope slides. Digital images captured of the slide-mounted specimens proved to be inconsistent with the illustrations provided in the original Marmara gulosa species description (Guillén et al. 2001).

The morphologies of all …

A Potential Plan Of Action For Emerald Ash Borer In Nebraska, Lee Wheeler

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Abstract Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) (EAB) is an invasive insect pest. It feeds on the cambium tissues of ash tree species. It was first discovered in the United States in 2002 in Detroit, Michigan. Their effects on ash trees are deadly, and it is quickly spreading across the Midwest. Nebraska has not yet been invaded, but confirmed findings continue getting closer and closer. The major problem facing Nebraskans, with regards to EAB, is how to begin preparations to prevent a dramatic economic loss when an infestation does occur. So, to address this problem, I have conducted street and park …

Combining Local- And Large-Scale Models To Predict The Distributions Of Invasive Plant Species, Chad C. Jones, Steven A. Acker, Charles B. Halpern

Botany Faculty Publications

Habitat-distribution models are increasingly used to predict the potential distributions of invasive species and to inform monitoring. However, these models assume that species are in equilibrium with the environment, which is clearly not true for most invasive species. Although this assumption is frequently acknowledged, solutions have not been adequately addressed. There are several potential methods for improving habitat-distribution models. Models that require only presence data may be more effective for invasive species, but this assumption has rarely been tested. In addition, combining modeling types to form ‘ensemble’ models may improve the accuracy of predictions. However, even with these improvements, models …

Cruise Foraging Of Invasive Chameleon (Chamaeleo Jacksonii Xantholophus) In Hawai’I, Travis J. Hagey, Jonathan B. Losos, Luke Harmon

Biology

We quantified the foraging behavior of the Jackson’s chameleon (Chamaeleo jacksonii xantholophus), an invasive insectivorous lizard species in Hawai’i. Using video taken in the field, we focused on percent time moving, moves per minute, and movement speeds. Our results supported previous findings that chameleons are ‘‘cruise foragers’’ (sensu Butler, 2005), a foraging behavior unlike almost all other species of lizards.

A Predictive Model For Detection Of Agrilus Planipennis (Col., Buprestidae) Larvae In Girdled Ash (Fraxinus Spp.), J. M. Marshall, A. J. Storer, I. Fraser, V. C. Mastro

USDA Forest Service / UNL Faculty Publications

Agrilus planipennis (emerald ash borer, Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is a pest of ash (Fraxinus spp.) in North America and has caused mortality of ash throughout its introduced range. One technique used for detection of A. planipennis is the establishment and peeling of girdled trap trees. In an effort to reduce the search effort and target detection survey efforts within ash trap trees, a predictive model was created using data from 2007 and validated using data from 2008. In 2007 and 2008, ash trap trees were established, harvested, peeled and inspected for A. planipennis larvae. Gaussian curves were fit to describe …

Ecologically Significant Invasive Species, A Monitoring Framework For Natural Resource Management Groups In Western Australia, Jan-Willem De Miliano, Andrew Woolnough, Andrew Reeves, Damian Shepherd

Bulletins 4000 -

This publication is the result of the project titled 'Resource Condition Monitoring for Ecologically Significant Species. The project identified and addressed key weaknesses in the State's capacity to monitor threat posed by ecologically significant species. The invasive species monitoring framework for Western Australia developed through this project, along with the rationales underpinning the deign, are presented in this report.

Classical Biological Control For The Protection Of Natural Ecosystems, R.G. Van Driesche, R I. Carruthers, T. Center, M.S. Hoddle, J. Hough-Goldstein, L. Morin, L. Smith, D.L. Wagner, B. Blossey, V. Brancatini, R. Casagrande, C.E. Causton, J.A. Coetzee, J. Cuda, J. Ding, S.V. Fowler, J. H. Frank, R. Fuester, J. A. Goolsby, M. Grodowitz, T.A. Heard, M.P. Hill, J.H. Hoffmann, J. Huber, M. Julien, M.T.K. Kairo, M. Kenis, P. Mason, J. Medal, R. Messing, R. Miller, A. Moore, P. Neuenschwander, R. Newman, H. Norambuena, W.A. Palmer, R. Pemberton, A. Perez-Panduro, P.D. Pratt, M. Rayamajhi, S. Salom, D. Sands, S. Schooler, M. Schwarzländer, A. Sheppard, R. Shaw, P.W. Tipping, R.D. Van Klinken

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Of the 70 cases of classical biological control for the protection of nature found in our review, there were fewer projects against insect targets (21) than against invasive plants (49), in part, because many insect biological control projects were carried out against agricultural pests, while nearly all projects against plants targeted invasive plants in natural ecosystems. Of 21 insect projects, 81% (17) provided benefits to protection of biodiversity, while 48% (10) protected products harvested from natural systems, and 5% (1) preserved ecosystem services, with many projects contributing to more than one goal. In contrast, of the 49 projects against invasive …

Relative Allelopathic Potential Of Invasive Plant Species In A Young Disturbed Woodland, Nikki Pisula, Scott J. Meiners

Scott J. Meiners

Invasive plant species are often more successful within introduced areas when compared to their natural ranges. Allelopathy has been suggested as a potential mechanism for this success because invasive plants frequently establish monocultures and may produce allelochemicals evolutionarily novel to the recipient community. However, species are typically tested in isolation making the relative strength of allelopathy difficult to assess. We conducted laboratory bioassays for 10 co-occurring non-native species to determine the relative strength of their allelopathic potential. These species represented a suite of successful invaders within a young forest and were from a variety of plant life forms: trees, lianas, …

Wildfire Promotes Dominance Of Invasive Giant Reed (Arundo Donax) In Riparian Ecosystems, Gretchen Coffman, R F. Ambrose, P W. Rundel

Environmental Science

Widespread invasion of riparian ecosystems by the large bamboo-like grass Arundo donax L. has altered community structure and ecological function of streams in California. This study evaluated the influence of wildfire on A. donax invasion by investigating its relative rate of reestablishment versus native riparian species after wildfire burned 300 ha of riparian woodlands along the Santa Clara River in southern California in October 2003. Post-fire A. donax growth rates and productivity were compared to those of native woody riparian species in plots established before and after the fire. Arundo donax resprouted within days after the fire and exhibited higher …

The Influence Of Environmental Settings On The Distribution Of Invasive Species, David Bercaw, Nora Dougherty, William Sees

Deer and Non-native Invasive Plant Impact Study Documents

No abstract provided.

Hydrodynamic Forces Affect Larval Zebra Mussel (Dreissena Polymorpha) Mortality In A Laboratory Setting, Thomas Horvath, Lori Crane

School of Natural Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Mortality of zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, larvae was quantified in a laboratory experiment that was designed to assess the role played by both intensity and duration of the exposure to hydrodynamic forces. Larvae were collected in a plankton net and distributed in 100-ml aliquots to 125-ml Erlenmeyer flasks. The flasks were spun on an orbital shaker at different speeds, 100 rpm and 400 rpm, to change the intensity of the hydrodynamic forces experienced by larvae inside the flasks. Actual shear forces were not quantified. A parallel set of control flasks were not spun. Flasks were spun for 1, 24 and …

A Modelling Approach To Evaluate Potential Management Actions Designed To Increase Growth Of White Perch In A High-Density Population, Christopher J. Chizinski, Kevin L. Pope, G.R. Wilde

Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit: Staff Publications

A deterministic, age-structured population model was developed to simulate potential management scenarios designed to increase growth of individuals (quantified by maximum length) in a hypothetical population of white perch, Morone americana (Gmelin). Four scenarios were developed that included non-selective mortality of adult white perch, increased mortality of age groups most influential on population growth, increased age-0 mortality and inhibiting recruitment after spawning. The greatest increase in maximum length occurred with nonselective adult mortality when population biomass was reduced by 97%; lesser increases in maximum length were achieved with the other management scenarios. Populations returned to their original state after control …

Spring Grazing Impacts On The Vegetation Of Reed Canarygrass–Invaded Wetlands, Heidi Hilhouse, Susan J. Tunnell, James L. Stubbendieck

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

The Rainwater Basin region in Nebraska is critically important stopover habitat for spring waterfowl migrations, but the ability of these sites to produce sufficient food for migrating waterfowl is endangered by the invasion of reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.). This species produces thick litter layers and abundant aboveground biomass, reducing germination and seedling survival of the annual plant species responsible for much of the seed production in the area. Cattle grazing often is used as a management tool in the Rainwater Basin to slow or reverse reed canarygrass invasion and to improve growing conditions for more desirable plant species. …

Sirex Noctilio In North America: The Effect Of Stem-Injection Timing On The Attractiveness And Suitability Of Trap Trees, Kelley E. Zylstra, Kevin J. Dodds, Joseph A. Francese, Victor Mastro

USDA Forest Service / UNL Faculty Publications

1 Sirex noctilio Fabricius, an invasive woodwasp responsible for severe economic damage to pine industries in the southern hemisphere, is now established in the northeastern U.S.A. and portions of eastern Canada.

2 Parts of North America are considered to be high risk for S. noctilio invasion. Effective detection tools, including trap trees, are needed to monitor and survey S. noctilio populations.

3 The present study was conducted to determine the optimal time to chemically stress a tree when aiming to attract the most S. noctilio to the host substrate, as well as to determine which timing produced the most adult …

Relative Allelopathic Potential Of Invasive Plant Species In A Young Disturbed Woodland, Nikki Pisula, Scott J. Meiners

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Invasive plant species are often more successful within introduced areas when compared to their natural ranges. Allelopathy has been suggested as a potential mechanism for this success because invasive plants frequently establish monocultures and may produce allelochemicals evolutionarily novel to the recipient community. However, species are typically tested in isolation making the relative strength of allelopathy difficult to assess. We conducted laboratory bioassays for 10 co-occurring non-native species to determine the relative strength of their allelopathic potential. These species represented a suite of successful invaders within a young forest and were from a variety of plant life forms: trees, lianas, …

Relative Allelopathic Potential Of Invasive Plant Species In A Young Disturbed Woodland, Nikki Pisula, Scott Meiners

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Invasive plant species are often more successful within introduced areas when compared to their natural ranges. Allelopathy has been suggested as a potential mechanism for this success because invasive plants frequently establish monocultures and may produce allelochemicals evolutionarily novel to the recipient community. However, species are typically tested in isolation making the relative strength of allelopathy difficult to assess. We conducted laboratory bioassays for 10 co-occurring non-native species to determine the relative strength of their allelopathic potential. These species represented a suite of successful invaders within a young forest and were from a variety of plant life forms: trees, lianas, …

An Effective Chemical Deterrent For Invasive Cuban Treefrogs, Steve A. Johnson, Monica E. Mcgarrity, Christina L. Staudhammer

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Introduced vertebrates have a variety of impacts on ecosystems and economies, and many cause problems for humans. One such problem is the loss of electrical power when invasive animals cause short circuits in power-transmission equipment. Cuban treefrogs (Osteopilus septentrionalis) are known to cause power outages and are a nuisance to humans when they invade homes and defecate on doors and windows. These large, slightly toxic treefrogs were introduced into Florida from the Caribbean. They now occur throughout the peninsula of Florida and are spreading to other states in the Southeast. We used refuge choice experiments to test the …

Dreissenid Mussels Are Not A “Dead End” In Great Lakes Food Webs, Charles P. Madenjian, Steven A. Pothoven, Philip J. Schneeberger, Mark P. Ebener, Lloyd C. Mohr, Thomas F. Nalepa, James R. Bence

United States Department of Commerce: Staff Publications

Dreissenid mussels have been regarded as a “dead end” in Great Lakes food webs because the degree of predation on dreissenid mussels, on a lakewide basis, is believed to be low. Waterfowl predation on dreissenid mussels in the Great Lakes has primarily been confined to bays, and therefore its effects on the dreissenid mussel population have been localized rather than operating on a lakewide level. Based on results from a previous study, annual consumption of dreissenid mussels by the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) population in central Lake Erie averaged only 6 kilotonnes (kt; 1 kt=one thousand metric tons) …

The Vascular Flora Of Boone County, Iowa (2005-2008), Jimmie D. Thompson

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

A vascular plant survey of Boone County, Iowa was conducted from 2005 to 2008 during which 1016 taxa (of which 761, or 75%, are native to central Iowa) were encountered (vouchered and/or observed). A search of literature and the vouchers of Iowa State University's Ada Hayden Herbarium (ISC) revealed 82 additional taxa (of which 57, or 70%, are native to Iowa), unvouchered or unobserved during the current study, as having occurred in the county. This total of 1098 taxa (979 species, 57 varieties, 39 subspecies, 23 hybrids) places Boone County first in vascular plant richness among 18 published county inventories …

Evaluating Commercially Available Rodenticide Baits For Invasive Gambian Giant Pouched Rats (Cricetomys Gambianus), Gary W. Witmer, Nathan P. Snow, Patrick W. Burke

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Gambian giant pouched rats (Cricetomys gambianus) are native to Africa, but they are popular in the pet industry in the United States. They were reservoir hosts during a monkeypox outbreak in the Midwestern United States in 2003. A free-ranging population became established on Grassy Key in the Florida Keys, apparently because of a release by a pet breeder. These rodents could cause significant damage to agricultural crops should they reach the mainland. Research under controlled conditions was needed to identify effective rodenticides for Grassy Key or other cases where an invasion of Gambian rats might occur. We tested …