Invasive Species
What is an invasive species?
Invasive species have two main characteristics: they are non-native (exotic/alien) to the ecosystem that they occupy, and their existence in that ecosystem causes or is likely to cause harm to the economy, environment, or human health. If left unchecked, invasive species can threaten native species, biodiversity, ecosystem services, recreation, water resources, agricultural and forest production, cultural resources, economies and property values, public safety, and infrastructure.
There are many kinds of invasive species-harmful exotic (alien) plants, animals, algae, fungus, or disease-causing microorganisms; and these harmful invaders threaten aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Some examples of the diversity of invasive species include the emerald ash borer, feral swine, zebra and quagga mussels, kudzu vine, cheatgrass, hemlock woolly adelgid, white-nose syndrome fungal pathogen, lionfish, bufflegrass, Asian carp, garlic mustard, leafy spurge, Sirex woodwasp, Burmese python, Japanese knotweed, and many more.
Native Pests and Diseases
In addition to our work against harmful non-native invasive species (such as the Emerald Ash Borer or the Asian Longhorned Beetle), the Forest Service works collaboratively to detect, prevent, and control certain native pests and diseases that cause widespread environmental damage and tree mortality. These include native forest insects and pathogens.
What is the Forest Service doing to help?
Summit at the Smithsonian Institution.
The Forest Service plays an important role in each of the national federal interagency coordinating groups addressing invasive species, including the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force (ANSTF), the Federal Interagency Committee for the Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds (FICMNEW), Federal Interagency Feral Swine Task Force, and the Federal Interagency Committee for Invasive Terrestrial Animals and Pathogens (ITAP). The agency works closely with federal programs and agencies within the National Invasive Species Council to help advance implementation of the Presidential Executive Orders regarding invasive species.
“We also support global collaboration that helps control invasive species that are already in the United States, as well as prevent the importation and establishment of invasive species that threaten U.S. forests. Learn more about the work of Forest Service International Programs.”
The Forest Service provides financial and technical assistance to local, state, tribal, and federal partners help address invasive species that threaten America’s forests, grasslands, and other ecosystems across the landscape. Our extensive network of research facilities and programs, coupled with an array of invasive species management professionals and experts, are helping to develop innovative techniques, approaches, tools, and technologies. An array of science-based approaches to detect, prevent, control, and eradicate aquatic invasive species, have been developed or advanced by the Forest Service.
What can you do to prevent invasive species?
At home:
Avoid planting invasive ornamental plants on your property. Use native alternatives for ornamental plantings
Learn how to control invasive plants around your property and what tools to use to properly remove them.
Report invasive species infestations to your local, county, state, or federal government agency.
Do not dump aquariums or houseplants into the environment (such lakes, streams, rivers, ponds, or other natural areas).
Contact your local National Forest or Grassland, state or county government officials to learn about invasive species in your area.
When traveling:
Make sure to clean your clothes, boat, animals, and gear off after recreating to prevent the spread of invasive species to other areas.
Do not collect invasive plants, their seeds, or reproductive bodies.
Do not carry firewood long distances. Burn it where you buy it!
Properly dispose of live bait in the trash, not into the environment.
Use only invasive-free (weed-free) forage/hay when feeding livestock on National Forests
Additional invasive species prevention tips for:
and mollusks. Photo by John Rothlisberger, USDA Forest Service.