Exotic and Invasive Species
Non-Native Invasive Species (NNIS) have significantly impacted United States ecosystems and cost millions of dollars to prevent. Whether it is an insect, plant, weed, aquatic or terrestrial - NNIS can have a huge impact on the ecosystem they invade.
What happens when a NNIS is introduced to an ecosystem? The result can be loss and destruction of forage and/or habitat for wildlife/fish/plants, loss of available grazing land, diminished land values, lost forest productivity, reduced groundwater levels, soil degradation, increased risk of devastating wildfires, and diminished recreational enjoyment. Entire ecosystems and communities are experiencing the detrimental impact of NNIS.
Pests such as emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid and spongy moth have long-reaching consequences for plant and tree species across the country, killing off ash, hemlock and other tree species. Infestations of non-native invasive insects can cause millions of trees to die. Non-native invasive wildlife can take over or destroy habitat for native wildlife species. Impacts to native wildlife species can then impact the forest ecosystem as natural balances are destroyed. Aquatic invaders can outcompete native and local fish populations or destroy their food source.
Animals
- Rusty crayfish - Orconectes rusticus
- Exotic earthworms - Dendrobaena octaedra, Lumbricus rubellus, L. terrestris, Aporrectodea tuberculata, and Aporrectodea rosea
- Spiny waterflea - Bythotrephes cederstroemi
- Chinese mysterysnail - Viviparus malleatus
- Banded mysterysnail - Viviparus georgianus
- Sea lamprey - Petromyzon marinus
- Eurasian ruffe - Gymnocephalus cernuus
- Zebra mussel - Dreissena polymorpha
- Spongy moth - Lymantria dispar
- Emerald ash borer - Agrilus planipennis
- Asian Lady Beetle - Harmonia axyridis
- Stable Fly - Stomoxys calcitrans
- Threespine Stickleback - Gasterosteus aculeatus
- Rainbow Trout - Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Rainbow Smelt - Osmerus mordax
- European Starling - Sturnus vulgaris
- European Skipper - Thymelicus lineola
- Western Dusky Slug - Arion subfuscus
We are on the alert for emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, hemlock woolly adelgid, and New Zealand mudsnail.
Aquatic Species
Curly-leaf pondweed
Curly-leaf pondweed forms dense mats in the spring. Look for stiff, crinkled leaves with small ‘teeth’ around their edges.
Eurasian water-milfoil
The mat-forming Eurasian water-milfoil spreads by fragments that can be transported on boats and trailers. Look for leaves with 12 or more leaflet pairs.
Rusty crayfish
Rusty crayfish destroy weed beds, fish habitat, and native crayfish populations. Look for dark, rust-colored patches on the shell.
Spiny and fishhook waterfleas
Spiny and fishhook waterfleas are tiny (< 1/2 inch) crustaceans that compete with small fish for food and collect in masses, fouling fishing lines and equipment.
Viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS)
The fish disease viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) kills muskies, walleye, whitefish, yellow perch, and others. Disinfect the hull and live wells of boats used on the Great Lakes with a solution of 1/3 cup chlorine bleach per 5 gallons of water.
Zebra and Quagga Mussels
Small zebra and quagga mussels are filter feeders, consuming plankton that young fish need. Surfaces such as boats and docks may be covered by their sharp shells.
Plants
Several non-native invasive plants are known to occur on the Ottawa National Forest. Some, such as garlic mustard and Eurasian water-milfoil, remain uncommon. Others, such as Japanese barberry, exotic honeysuckle, and glossy buckthorn, are unfortunately quite abundant. Forest Service crews and partners treat hundreds of acres each year. There are currently no known federally-listed noxious weeds on the Ottawa National Forest. To help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive plants, the Ottawa National Forest also has an active invasive plant prevention and education program.
We have prioritized species based on their likelihood to cause ecological harm and the feasibility of control. The ONF invasive plant priority list was developed using the Alien Plants Ranking System (version 7.1), a computer program developed by the National Park Service, Northern Arizona University, Ripon College, University of Minnesota, and the U.S. Geological Survey. See links for more information. The list was approved by the Ottawa National Forest Management Team on April 13, 2005, and again on May 23, 2017. Comments and questions on the list are welcome. The ranking and list may be revised as new information is gathered.
High Priority
- Japanese barberry - Berberis thunbergii
- Glossy buckthorn - Frangula alnus
- Bell’s honeysuckle - Lonicera × bella
- Morrow’s honeysuckle - Lonicera morrowii
- Tartarian honeysuckle - Lonicera tartarica
- Eurasian watermilfoil- Myriophyllum spicatum
- Common buckthorn- Rhamnus cathartica
New Invader/High Priority
- Siberian peashrub - Caragana arborescens
- Houndstongue - Cynoglossum officinale
- Paradise plant - Daphne mezereum
- Cutleaf teasel - Dipsacus laciniatus
- Autumn olive - Elaeagnus umbellata
- Giant hogweed - Heracleum mantegazzianum
- Yellow iris - Iris pseudacorus
- Purple moor grass - Molinia caerulea
- Common reed - Phragmites australis ssp. australis
- Burnet-saxifrage - Pimpinella saxifraga
- Japanese knotweed - Polygonum cuspidatum
- Giant knotweed - Polygonum sachalinense
- Curlyleaf pondweed - Potamogeton crispus
- Tansy ragwort - Senecio jacobaea
- Japanese hedgeparsley - Torilis japonica
Medium Priority
- Bishop’s goutweed - Aegopodium podagraria
- Garlic mustard - Alliaria petiolata
- Wild chervil - Anthriscus sylvestris
- European swamp thistle - Cirsium palustre
- Leafy spurge - Euphorbia esula
- Dames rocket - Hesperis matronalis
- Flat pea - Lathyrus sylvestris
- Purple loosestrife - Lythrum salicaria
- Wild parsnip - Pastinaca sativa
- Reed canarygrass - Phalaris arundinacea
- Scots pine - Pinus sylvestris
- Crown-vetch - Securigera varia
- Garden valerian - Valeriana officinalis