Invasives

Invasive plant species are among the greatest threats to the integrity of natural areas.

With the increase in world travel and trade the opportunity for certain aggressive species to spread themselves throughout the globe has dramatically increased. There is no longer any true biological separation of the continents. We are creating a sort of biological Pangaea - the ancient "super continent" that scientists believe once included all of the land on Earth.

What is happening worldwide is an increase in certain problem species on many continents. These aggressive species may be the stimulus for a new wave of evolution - hybridizing with native species on each of the continents - potentially creating a somewhat homogenized world flora.

In the past invasive species have often been thought of only in terms of their economic threat - their effect on agriculture, ranching and industry. This is where most of the effort to control plant pests has been focused.The ecological threat to our natural communities, however, is equal to the economic threat posed by these species. Today we are at a turning point: many government agencies, private conservation organizations and even such powerful political lobbies as the National Rifle Association and Ducks Unlimited are taking notice of the effects of invasives on natural communities and undertaking efforts to stop this invasion. What follows are a series of thoughts and facts on invasive species as a group. This list is not complete nor is it comprehensive, but it can make you aware of some of the most important facts regarding invasives.

These sites contain the most up-to-date information on invasive species legislation and/or lists for each of the states listed:

• Connecticut - Invasive Plant Working Group
• Maine - Invasive Aquatic Plants
• Maine - Invasive Plant Species
• Massachusetts DAR regulations - Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List
• Massachusetts - Evaluation for Invasiveness List
• New Hampshire - Invasive Species
• New York - Invasive Plant Council
• Rhode Island - Invasive Plants
• Vermont - Aquatic Nuisance Species in Vermont
• Vermont - Dept. of Agriculture Noxious Weeds Quarantine Law

To learn more about Invasive Plants go to IPANE.