Exotic and Invasive Species

Non-native invasive species are plants, pathogens, insects, and other animals that have been transported outside their native range and aggressively spread to take over new areas and displace native species. Invasive species are a key driver of habitat degradation, biodiversity loss, and species extinctions. Some examples of non-native invasive species are yellow starthistle, zebra mussels and spotted lanternflies.

Invasive plant species have many negative impacts on native ecosystems: 

• Outcompete native plant species for water, space, nutrients
• Can threaten survival of threatened and endangered plants
• Reduce habitat and forage value for wildlife (including insects) and livestock
• Decrease recreational value of public lands

On the Mendocino National Forest there are currently approximately 1,900 known infestations of invasive plant species, covering approximately 10,600 acres. Most of the forest has not been surveyed for invasive species, so there are certainly many more infestations.