exotic
- 1. adj. (biology) Occurring in a given place
as a result of direct or indirect, deliberate or accidental
actions by humans. Synonyms: alien, introduced,
non-native, and non-indigenous. Some exotic species
look very attractive but, like con artists, can cause serious
harm.
2. n. (biology) An exotic species
innocuous
- adj. Not a threat to native species or ecoystems
invasive
- adj. Common language term meaning tending to
spread, intrude, or encroach, usually aggressively and in a
hurtful manner. Gardeners characterize cultivated plants as
"invasive" when they spread aggressively beyond
where they were intended to remain, particularly if they
outcompete and displace other plants in the garden.
invasive species
- Official term for an exotic species whose introduction can cause
economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.
The term originated in Presidential Executive Order 13112 issued February 3, 1999.
This E.O. directs federal agencies to prevent the
introduction of invasive species, to provide for their control,
and to minimize the economic, ecological, and human health impacts
that invasive species cause to the extent practicable and permitted
by law.
threat
- n. An agent that can significantly alter a natural
scene, displace a native species, damage genetic integrity,
disrupt natural physical or biological processes, or otherwise
damage native ecosystems, or which can cause economic harm or
harm to human health (NPS Policy and EO 13112). See also:
Exotic Species Threat Assessment.
weed
- n. Common-language term for a plant judged to be
a nuisance. What makes a weed a nuisance is not necessarily
an ecological threat, as defined above. Furthermore, a weed
is not necessarily an exotic species. The term, noxious
weed, is an official designation for weeds which
cause major economic harm. Traditionally, plants introduced
for their ornamental, utilitarian, or food value are not viewed
as weeds. It is only recently that the potential of some of
these plants to "escape" and to disrupt natural ecosystems has
been recognized. Many people assume that weeds look ugly.
Calling an escaped ornamental a "weed" may seem
non-sensical. More precise, accepted, and general terms for
environmentally harmful non-natives are exotic pest plant
and invasive plant species. In Australia, exotic pest
plants are termed environmental weeds.
Weed Wrench (tm)
- A hand tool that uproots woody plants by gripping and
leverage, patented by New Tribe. The Weed
Wrench is very well adapted to removal of plants with
a long taproot, such as Scotch broom.
