If you’re looking for basic information about invasives and details about why they matter– look no further!

As a background, on my Instagram account, I created a series titled “Invasive Species 101”. In this series, I outlined some of the fundamental information about invasive organisms– what they are, how they are threats, how they affect you, and more. I decided to put all that information into a blog style format to make the information readily accessible to all interested. I hope you find this information useful and informative!

First of all, let’s talk about what invasive species are. Some people have different views on this topic, but I’ll give you the definition written by professionals. 

According to National Geographic, an invasive species is “an organism that is not indigenous, or native, to a particular area. Invasive species can cause great economic and environmental harm to the new area.”

Similarly, in The Book of Invasive Species, Kit Carlson, PhD, states that invasives are “any species thriving in an area outside its natural range of dispersal, creating adverse ecological and/or economic effects in that area.”

To be invasive, a species must cause harm and has to reproduce and adapt quickly enough to become established. Keep in mind that not all exotic/non-native species are invasive. Certain species (ex. wheat) is not from North America, but it does not cause harm to the economy or species in the area. Also keep in mind that invasive species can be plants, animals, fish, birds, or microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, etc.)!

You may be wondering, why do invasives matter anyways? How do they affect me?

There are many answers to this question. Invasive species can greatly alter the ecosystem and food chains (as they do not typically have natural predators). They hurt native species by outcompeting them for resources (ex. food, habitat, or even sunlight in the case of plants). This problem is exacerbated by invasives’ tendency to reproduce and grow in population rapidly. Overall, invasive species are responsible for the deterioration of so many species and natural areas. Unlike the native species, invasives have no benefit to the ecosystem they are affecting.

Invasive species affect you and me in many different ways. Many invasives cause extreme crop loss and deforestation, which has severe economic impacts. Invasive species cause billions of dollars a year in the US alone– in damages and prevention methods. Think: crop & livestock loss, herbicide & manual removal cost, public education campaigns, and prevention techniques (ex. barriers). They also pose a risk to human health, as many invasives carry diseases. Erosion and wildfires are also intensified by an invasive presence. 

Finally, how can these species be managed? Invasive species can be controlled in different manners. Each management strategy is specific to the species and varies widely. Many strategies utilize physical, chemical, and biological elements. 

• Physical Methods: using people or equipment
  • Mowing, hunting, burning
• Chemical Methods: using chemical based treatments
  • Herbicides & poison
• Biological Methods: using other organisms
  • Natural predators, parasites, and pathogens that kill invasive species

Each of these methods have pros and cons relating to cost, effect on native species and the environment, and efficiency of treatment. 

Thank you for reading! If you would like to see the visual format of this information, check out my Instagram @studentsagainstinvasivespecies.

All resources are linked on this website’s ‘Resources’ page.