invasive species destroying forests

In its native China, Asian longhorned beetles have damaged about 40 percent (approximately 2.3 million ha) of poplar plantations - over 240 cities or counties have been infested in five provinces alone (totalling 230 thousand ha) - and an estimated 50 million trees were cut down over a three year period (1991-1993) in Ningxia Province alone. The threat of invasive species to Hawaii's coral reefs is very concerning. The grey squirrel is also suspected to be a vector for the parapoxvirus which is fatal to red squirrels. This mosquito attacks more hosts than any other mosquito in the world, including many mammals, birds and reptiles, and is associated with the transmission of dengue fever, yellow fever, eastern equine encephalitis, dog heartworm and possibly St. Louis and LaCrosse encephalitis viruses (Wittenberg and Cock, 2001). Considered native to the Indian subcontinent, the giant reed is now present in the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Guam, Hawaii, Nauru, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, Palau, Samoa and Christmas Island. They also prey on livestock. Hawaii has faced many infestations and this species has displaced the native Hawaiian raspberry (Rubus hawaiiensis). It occurs in agricultural areas, disturbed areas, natural forest, rangelands and grasslands, scrublands and shrublands, and urban areas. The hosts can be broken down into two categories - bark canker hosts and foliar hosts - depending on the part of the plant or tree most susceptible to the disease (Rizzo and Garbelotto, 2003; Garbelotto, 2004). Mute Swan. Morella faya, commonly called the fire tree, is native to the Azores, the Madeira Islands and the Canary Islands and has been introduced to Australia, New Zealand and the United States, including Hawaii. Because of its mutualistic relationship with Homoptera, A. gracilipes has itself become a pest of the agriculture and forest sectors. L. camara has many beneficial uses: it is grown as a hedge plant; its stalks are used for paper pulp; its bark is used as an astringent; and its leaves are used for many medicinal purposes. In the absence of their natural predators, competitors and pathogens, they can prosper in new environments and spread at the expense of native species, affecting entire ecosystems. Pigs damage forests by eating or uprooting tree and plant seedlings and by opening tree-fern trunks in searching for starch (Atkinson and Atkinson, 2000). After hatching, the larvae tunnel under the bark and feed on plant tissue until they are ready to pupate. House mice are major economic pests; consuming, destroying and contaminating crops and food supplies intended for human consumption. In some cases, however, the ant was intentionally introduced as a biological control agent against insect pests in cocoa, coconut and coffee plantations (Matthews, 2004). They also inhabit agricultural areas, coastal areas, disturbed areas, riparian zones, scrublands and shrublands, tundra and wetlands. Source: Invasive Species in Forests and Rangelands of the United States: A Comprehensive Science Synthesis for the United States Forest Sector. The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) has compiled a list of the One Hundred of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species (www.issg.org/database/species/search.asp?st=100ss&fr=1&sts=#SpeciesList) which aims to collectively illustrate the range of impacts caused by biological invasion. The native range of the Asian gypsy moth is central and southern Asia and Japan. This ant constructs earthen mounds for brood thermoregulation, which are easier to build in open, sunny areas; as a result it is less abundant in, and poses a smaller threat to, dense forests (Morrison et al., 2004). Some of these species have become invasive, spreading rapidly and causing significant economic and ecological impacts to the nation's forest and urban trees. The big-headed ant is also a domestic pest since it chews on telephone cabling and electrical wires and an agricultural pest as it harbours phytophagous insects that reduce crop productivity (Hoffmann, Andersen and Hill, 1999). Native to Asia, Europe, North Africa and the boreal regions of North America, this species has been introduced into Australia and temperate regions of North America. P. ramorum occurs in natural and planted forests and has an extensive host range, covering many plant genera and several families, including trees, shrubs and woody and herbaceous perennials. Subspecies leucocephala was introduced to Asia over two centuries ago and is now established around the world (Matthews, 2004). Asian longhorned beetles were also noted in New Jersey, United States in 2002 and in an industrial park in the Toronto-Vaughan area, Canada in 2003. Invasive Plants in Southern Forests James H. Miller, Steven T. Manning, and Stephen F. Enloe Abstract Invasions of nonnative plants into forests and landscapes of the Southern United States continue to spread and include new species, increasingly eroding forest productivity, The caterpillars eat the leaves of oaks and other hardwoods in May and June. Contact your local National Forest or Grassland, state or county government officials to learn about invasive species in your area. Bark canker hosts become infected on their trunks and in highly susceptible species, the cankers eventually girdle the tree, resulting in starvation and death. An integral part of sustainable forest management is measures to protect forests from natural threats such as fire, insects and diseases. It may also help to spread the seeds of other alien invasive species. Human activities are considered to be the most common ways invasive organisms are transported to new habitats. It is classified as a potential threat by many countries and is covered by phytosanitary regulations. Do not dump aquariums or houseplants into the environment (such lakes, streams, rivers, ponds, or other natural areas). Foliar hosts become infected on their leaves and twigs and may be accompanied by branch infections and dieback in some foliar hosts; such hosts only occasionally die from infection. They also pose a threat to the health of humans and domestic animals through the transmission of diseases such as rabies, distemper, parvo virus and mange. Its dense foliage reduces the amount of light reaching the forest floor and prevents the regeneration of light-demanding plants. The beetle is believed to have come from its native China in untreated wooden packing crates and wooden pallets. Invasive Soda Apple This thorny perennial shrub invaded an estimated 1 million acres in five southern states within 7 ears after its arrival. The ecological, economic, and health costs of all types of invasive species exceed $138 billion per year, with plants alone responsible for $34.7 billion in losses, according to a 1999 report led by David Pimentel at Cornell University. In plantations, it competes with crops for nutrients, light and water, and reduces crop yields. Arrival: Purple loosestrife was introduced to the United States in the early 1800s for ornamental and medicinal uses. ":"&")+"url="+encodeURIComponent(b)),f.setRequestHeader("Content-Type","application/x-www-form-urlencoded"),f.send(a))}}}function B(){var b={},c;c=document.getElementsByTagName("IMG");if(!c.length)return{};var a=c[0];if(! Invasive Species in North American Forests Asian Longhorned Beetle is an invasive insect that was first discovered in the United States in 1996. The predatory rosy wolf snail, Euglandina rosea, is native to the southeastern United States and has been introduced to islands in the Caribbean, Pacific and Indian Oceans as a biological control agent for another alien invasive species, the giant African snail (Achatina fulica) (Stein and Flack, 1996). Widely introduced as a cover crop and garden ornamental, it has since spread readily due to its efficient reproduction and can now be found in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and many of the Pacific islands (Matthews, 2004). Giant reed traps sediments and narrows flood channels, leading to erosion and flooding, and promotes wildfire. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer International Publishing. They are referred to in the following, for purposes of simplification, as forest neophytes, although the species are not only limited to forests. Report invasive species infestations to your local, county, state, or federal government agency. Impact: Now growing invasively in most states, purple loosestrife can become the dominant plant species in wetlands.One plant can produce as many as 2 million wind-dispersed seeds per year and underground stems grow at a rate of 1 foot per year. ("naturalWidth"in a&&"naturalHeight"in a))return{};for(var d=0;a=c[d];++d){var e=a.getAttribute("data-pagespeed-url-hash");e&&(! They have considerable impacts on native invertebrates. Cats, Felis catus, occur in almost all geographical regions but are usually absent from true desert, high mountain and frozen areas due to an absence of suitable prey and wetlands and rainforests as they prefer to stay dry. Chromolaena can be found in agricultural areas, disturbed areas, natural and planted forests, rangelands and grasslands, scrublands and shrublands, and riparian zones. They have contributed to the loss of native birds in New Zealand, including the northern brown kiwi, Apteryx mantelli, and hole-nesting forest birds (O'Donnell, 1996; Basse, McLennan and Wake, 1999). (function(){for(var g="function"==typeof Object.defineProperties?Object.defineProperty:function(b,c,a){if(a.get||a.set)throw new TypeError("ES3 does not support getters and setters. A popular ornamental plant because of its fast growth and attractive fruit, it spreads from gardens and readily invades moist disturbed forests and also undisturbed sites. Widely promoted as a miracle tree, leucaena has been planted for the provision of wood and non-wood products and for reforestation purposes. Freshwater invasive species also threaten Hawaii's ecosystems. They can also affect large native invertebrates, such as earthworms and land snails, through direct predation and habitat destruction (Atkinson and Atkinson, 2000). Widely grown as an ornamental shrub throughout tropical, subtropical and temperate zones, Lantana camara has established in these regions and become a major weed of pastures, roadsides, wastelands and plantations (Matthews, 2004; Matthews and Brand, 2004). It was originally introduced into South Florida at the beginning of the twentieth century as an ornamental and to provide a useful crop capable of growing in an area subject to drought, flooding and periodic fires (Cock, 2003). As pest-infested ships from distant lands pull into port and uncaring pet owners release their imported animals into the wild, a number of invasive species have made their escape onto American soil. The native range is believed to be southern Africa and it is now widespread throughout the temperate and tropical zones of the world. Bufo marinus, or cane toads, are indigenous to northern South America, Central America, and Mexico northward to the southern United States and have been introduced throughout the world as a biological control agent for various insect pests of sugarcane and other crops. It can form dense stands and is likely to threaten giant kelp forests in future. It is unknown how this fungus originally entered Europe and North America, but genetic analysis suggests the pathogen is from a third location (Rizzo et al., 2002; Garbelotto, 2004). Increasingly, an additional and more severe threat has been affecting the forest sector worldwide - invasive species. Pigs are very effective predators of seabirds such as albatrosses, shags and boobies (Atkinson and Atkinson, 2000). A native of temperate and tropical Asia, Hiptage benghalensis is a high-climbing vine to large shrub that has been cultivated in the tropics as an ornamental and for medicinal purposes (GRIN-CA, 2002; Starr, Starr and Loope, 2003). It forms impenetrable, prickly thickets up to four or five metres high which make invaded areas inaccessible to humans and wildlife, block irrigation channels, cause silting of dams, interfere with recreational uses of waterways, and create safety hazards along roadways. Mikania micrantha is a perennial, climbing plant that is commonly called the mile-a-minute weed because of its incredible growth rate. The ant is probably the most aggressive species that has been introduced into the Galapagos where a marked reduction of scorpions, spiders and native ant species in infested areas has been observed (Roque-Albelo and Causton, 1999; Nishida and Evenhuis, 2000). Hundreds of species of non-native (aka alien or exotic) invasive forest insects, diseases, plants, and other organisms are established in the United States. When Zipporah Matumbi was growing up, she loved the way the forest in her village in East Kenya had a dense canopy. Heavy populations of caterpillars will eat most or all leaves on a tree. Such impacts have also affected the tourism sector in many areas. It readily regenerates almost everywhere it has been planted and has escaped and established in agricultural areas, disturbed areas, natural forests, rangelands and grasslands, riparian zones, scrublands and shrublands, and urban areas. The species has also led to a decrease in local arthropod biodiversity in the Solomon Islands (Romanski, 2001). Invasive species pose a serious risk to the sustainability of forest resources and the health of Ontario’s forests. It is nocturnal, secretive and arboreal, hunting for food at all levels within a forest. Invasive species rob forests of valuable ecosystem services and capabilities — degrading soil quality, water abundance, and diversity. Clidemia hirta is a toxic weedy shrub from Central America that has been introduced to almost all tropical islands and Southeast Asia. Contact with the milky sap contained in leafy spurge can have impacts on human health ranging from minor skin irritations to blindness if the liquid reaches the eyes. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-45367-1; The starling prefers lowland habitats to more mountainous terrain and inhabits agricultural areas, coastal areas, disturbed areas, natural and planted forests, rangelands, grasslands, riparian zones and wetlands, scrublands and shrublands, tundra and urban areas. Native to southern Europe and North Africa, rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, have been introduced to all continents except Antarctica and Asia. Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), referred to as the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), is one of the more recently introduced non-native invasive species with potential to become a major pest in the United States.It was first discovered in the New York City area in August 1996, and additional … It its native habitat in Central and South America, M. micrantha grows in and near forests, and in riparian and disturbed areas. The cypress aphid has critically damaged commercial and ornamental plantings and native stands of Cupressus, Juniperus, Widdringtonia and other Cupressaceae in Africa, Colombia, Italy, Jordan, Mauritius and Yemen (Watson et al., 1999). Wasmannia auropunctata, or the little fire ant, is native to Central and South America and has been introduced into parts of Africa, North America, South America and onto some islands in the Caribbean and the Pacific Oceans including the Galapagos, Hawaii, New Caledonia, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands (Roque-Albelo and Causton, 1999; Holway et al., 2002). Commonly known as the red-vented bulbul, it is an agricultural pest that destroys fruits, flowers, beans, tomatoes and peas. Outbreaks (of several generations) can be every 7-10 years, however more recently the period between outbreaks is apparently becoming shorter. The little fire ant efficiently exploits resources including shelter, nectar, and honeydew residues of Homopteran insects and may outcompete and displace native ants (Armbrecht and Ulloa-Chacón, 2003). Originating from New Guinea, P. manokwari now occurs in Australia, Guam, Hawaii, Japan, Maldives, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Philippines, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu (Lydeard et al., 2004). An intelligent, resourceful predator, the stoat specializes in small mammals and birds though they also attack animals larger than themselves. M. micrantha is a particular threat to young plantations and nurseries where it damages or kills other plants by blocking sunlight and suffocating them, by competing for water and nutrients, and by releasing substances that inhibit their growth (Matthews, 2004). Environmental stresses, including human practices such as monoculture plantings, may cause explosions of some ant populations. A serious threat to native habitats and species, this tree competes with indigenous vegetation, replaces grass communities, reduces native biodiversity and increases water loss from riparian zones. Euphorbia esula or leafy spurge is perennial plant native to Europe and temperate Asia that can now be found throughout the world with the exception of Australia. Ship rats are omnivorous and capable of eating a wide range of plants and animals including the eggs and young of forest birds (Innes, 2001; Courchamp, Chapuis and Pascal, 2003; Robertson and Saul, 2004). Native to the eastern United States, grey squirrels, Sciurus carolinensis, were imported into Italy, South Africa and the United Kingdom for the pet industry. Their preferred prey is small mammals, amphibians, lizards and snakes but they also prey on birds, particularly those that nest or feed on or near to the ground. It also has many negative impacts on the environments in which it invades including: decreases in pasture productivity; cattle can be poisoned when lantana is ingested; exclusion of understorey species; and changes in wildlife composition through the provision of perch sites and cover (Matthews, 2004; Matthews and Brand, 2004). Mongooses prey on birds, small mammals and reptiles and have caused the decline or extinction of many endemic vertebrates (Courchamp, Chapuis and Pascal, 2003). In Canada, introduced red foxes may have already replaced several native subspecies of red foxes. It has spread over several of the Hawaiian Islands and the state is now spending US$1.5 million per year to protect its native rain forests (Denslow, 2002). The brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, is a solitary, nocturnal, arboreal marsupial from Australia that was introduced into New Zealand where it is causing considerable damage to native forests by selective feeding on foliage and fruits. Sudden Oak Death, Laurel Wilt, White Pine Blister Rust, Chestnut Blight, Butternut Canker, and Dutch Elm Disease, all serve as grim reminders of successful establishment of invasives that have significantly altered our urban and forest landscapes. A. gracilipes can also affect the reproductive success of many mammals, reptiles and birds, such as the Christmas Island thrush (Turdus poliocephalus erythropleurus) (Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, 2003b). Impact: Now growing invasively in most states, purple loosestrife can become the dominant plant species in wetlands.One plant can produce as many as 2 million wind-dispersed seeds per year and underground stems grow at a rate of 1 foot per year. B. marinus inhabits agricultural areas, disturbed areas, lakes, water courses, wetlands and riparian zones, natural forests and urban areas. It occurs in agricultural areas, natural and planted forests, scrublands and shrublands, and urban areas. Persistent possum browsing pressure can result in long-term changes in forest structure and composition (Courchamp, Chapuis and Pascal, 2003). This is a considerable concern in the forest sector since many of the tree species used for agroforestry, commercial forestry and desertification control are alien or non-native to the area. The fungus can be found in lakes, natural forests, riparian areas and water courses and can remain viable in the environment, especially aquatic environments, for weeks. [CDATA[ First observed killing trees in the Bronx Zoo in New York City in 1904, the fungus was likely introduced to North America on nursery stock from Asia (Canadian Chestnut Council, undated). To do very well compared to the species has displaced the native range of the world ( Matthews, )! Severe threat has been introduced into a New area they have also been sighted on Saipan, Tinian Rota... 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