Invasive Species

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What are Invasive Species?

Invasive species infiltrate and cause harm to and can threaten native ecosystems, recreational activities, commercial agriculture and local or regional economies. Invasive species are introduced and spread by human actions.

Thousands of non-native invasive plants, invertebrates, and disease-causing pathogens are infesting millions of acres of lands and waters across the nation. These invaders cause massive disruptions in ecosystem function, reducing biodiversity, and degrade ecosystem health in our nation's forests, prairies, mountains, wetlands, rivers, and oceans. Invasive species affect the health of not only the nation's forests and rangelands, but also the health and survival of wildlife, livestock, fish, and humans. The financial impact from invasive species infestations in the United States has been estimated at $138 billion per year in total economic damages and associated control costs.

A strategic Forest Service response to invasive species is embodied in the National Strategy and Implementation Plan for Invasive Species Management launched in October 2004. The strategy is an aggressive program that harnesses the capabilities of the Forest Service. The Forest Service provides cutting edge leadership in natural resource management and research and development. Follow this link for more information on the Forest Service National Invasive Species program.

A species is considered invasive if it meets these two criteria:

• It is non-native to the ecosystem under consideration
• Its introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health

In the Lake Tahoe Basin the following Invasive Species are a concern:

• Quagga Mussel
• Zebra Mussel
• New Zealand Mudsnail
• Eurasian water milfoil
• Curly leaf pondweed
• Warm-Water Fishes

Related Links

100thmeridian.org
www.protectyourwaters.net/
www.tahoercd.org/AquaticInvasives.php

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