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The Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Research

Volume 17 The Review Article 10

2016

Invasive : A Look at their Disastrous Effects on , , and Stability of

Vanessa Nikolovska St. John Fisher College, [email protected]

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Recommended Citation Nikolovska, Vanessa. ": A Look at their Disastrous Effects on Ecosystems, Health, and Stability of Native Species." The Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Research 17 (2016): -. Web. [date of access]. .

This document is posted at https://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/ur/vol17/iss1/10 and is brought to you for free and open access by Fisher Digital Publications at St. John Fisher College. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Invasive Species: A Look at their Disastrous Effects on Ecosystems, Health, and Stability of Native Species

Abstract Invasive predators, competitors, and disease-causing pathogens are the cause of immense and often irreversible harm to the environment, presenting a serious threat to biodiversity. The problem of invasive species dates back to ancient times, when people started using different methods of transport such as horses, canoes, and camels to travel quickly, bringing with them lice, rats, microbes, cows, , dogs, goats, pigs, and other creatures. The actions of other species, most notably , play an increasing role in species invasions, as Homo sapiens have colonized almost all of the ecosystems on Earth and tend to transform natural environments into agricultural or urban landscapes. Invasive organisms can have negative effects on ecosystems and disastrous effects on native and fauna, and the most effective way to thwart further invasions and protect biodiversity is to prevent these new species introductions. The instillation of protocols such as the closer inspection of pallets in and travel, effective education programs, and aggressive monitoring and eradication programs is necessary to reduce the deleterious effects of invasive species.

Keywords Environment, Species, Biology, Invasive Species, Biodiversity,

This article is available in The Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Research: https://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/ur/ vol17/iss1/10 Nikolovska: The Disastrous Effects of Invasive Species

Invasive Species: A Look at their Disastrous Effects on Ecosystems, Health, and Stability of Native Species

Vanessa Nikolovska

Invasive predators, competitors, and disease- environment and health in both the causing pathogens are the cause of immense short and long-term. The question then and often irreversible harm to the becomes, why would anyone intentionally environment, presenting a serious threat to want to introduce invasive species into their biodiversity. Approximately 42% of environment? Ironically enough, theses threatened or today are species are usually introduced into an at risk primarily due to invasive species environment as a means toward financial or (National Federation 2015). The economic growth, since exotic species are problem of invasive species dates back to charming as they hold a kind of newness and ancient times, when people started using uniqueness to them (Madigan 2014). different methods of transport such as horses, canoes, and camels to travel quickly, In addition to introducing invasive species bringing with them lice, rats, microbes, into an environment for financial growth, cows, cats, dogs, goats, pigs, and other invasive species have also caused disastrous creatures. The actions of other species, most consequences in history, with Europeans notably humans, play an increasing role in colonizing new territories over the past 400 species invasions, as Homo sapiens have years, and deliberately introducing colonized almost all of the ecosystems on and animals to their new homes in an effort Earth and tend to transform natural to reconstruct their familiar surroundings. environments into agricultural or urban Perhaps it was not understood at that time, landscapes. Invasive organisms can have but this would have incredibly detrimental negative effects on ecosystems and effects on the new ecosystems. For instance, disastrous effects on native flora and fauna, before the arrival of Europeans, no and the most effective way to thwart further existed anywhere in the Hawaiian invasions and protect biodiversity is to Islands. The first species was prevent these new species introductions. The found there in 1827, and then at the start of instillation of protocols such as the closer the 20th century the microbial pathogen that inspection of pallets in international trade causes avian arrived from the and travel, effective education programs, importation of caged . Since mosquitos and aggressive monitoring and eradication are vectors of the disease, today nearly all programs are necessary to reduce the endemic species living on the Hawaiian deleterious effects of invasive species. Islands below 1,500 meters elevation, the current upper limit of the range of the According to the New York City mosquito vectors, have been eliminated by Department of Environmental Protection, in avian malaria (Sadava 2011). the United States alone, the cost of the damage to property, , , Humans have been extremely conducive to and fisheries caused by invasive species moving species to regions outside their exceeds $120 billion annually. In addition to original range, both deliberately and this monetary loss, invasive species also are inadvertently. For example, in Australia, the capable of causing immense harm to the introduction of European and foxes for sport and , and of dogs and cats

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as pets, led to the extermination of nearly such a competitive advantage is by half of the small to medium sized native preventing native species from obtaining marsupials on the continent over the last 100 food, living space, or other resources. Over years. This was due to a combination of time, invading species can effectively with rabbits and by replace native ones, often forcing the foxes, dogs, and cats. Interestingly, some localized of many native species. species deliberately introduced to control other invasive species have themselves An important point to keep in mind become invasive and caused further regarding invasive species is that invasive problems. The U.S. Congress passed the plants may also have negative effects on Endangered Species Act in 1973, and in ecosystems. In the same manner as animals, February 2000, Blackburn’s sphinx , invasive plants serve as disease vectors that Manduca blackburni, became the first spread parasites and pathogens, disrupting Hawaiian insect species to be protected invaded areas. Native plants must devote under the act. This moth is endangered considerable energy and resources to defend perhaps partly due to mortality caused by a themselves against native , while parasitoid wasp imported to to invasive plants are less prone to attack, as control the hornworm, M. sexta their natural enemies have been left behind (Sadava 2011). The pattern of species in their home range (Sadava 2011). introduction into areas outside their original According to the United States Department range evidently has long-lasting effects and of Agriculture, invasive plants are successful the potential to do much harm, despite initial because many species produce large intentions. quantities of and thrive on disturbed soil. Their are often distributed by do not possess the birds, wind, or unaware humans, moving evolutionary to adjust to the them great distances. Some invasive challenges posed by their new surroundings. species have aggressive systems that As a result, most introduced species do not spread long distances from a single plant— survive extended periods of time in their these often grow so densely that they new . Introduced species may smother the root systems of surrounding become invasive when they possess a . Other species also produce natural competitive advantage over chemicals in their leaves or root systems, indigenous species in invaded areas. Under which inhibit the growth of other plants these conditions, new arrivals can establish around them. Invasive plant species may breeding and thrive, especially decrease overall plant diversity, can result in if the lacks natural predators poor quality agriculture lands, decrease capable of keeping them in check. The recreation opportunities, and increase soil ecological disruption that tends to follow erosion. such invasions often reduces the ecosystem’s biodiversity and causes is one of the more famous non- economic detriment to people who depend native, invasive species. Its prolific ability to on the ecosystem’s biological resources. spread has lead to landscapes where Kudzu Invasive predators may be so adept at has spread over all other plants, and even capturing prey that the prey populations human structures. It is native to Japan and decline over time and become eliminated southeast China, but grows better in the from the ecosystem (Rafferty 2014). southern United States than it does in its Another way an invasive species can have native lands as its natural insect enemies

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were not brought to the U.S. with it. Kudzu Biological invasion is truly an ancient was first introduced to the United States process, and invasive species are spread in a during the Philadelphia Centennial multitude of different ways, including Exposition in 1876 where attendees through ships carrying aquatic organisms, marveled at the sweet-smelling blooms, products (insects getting into wood, large leaves and sturdy of what was shipping palettes and crates shipped around thought to be a great forage plant and the world), ornamental plants, and pet trade. ornamental for the backyard. Then, in the Ships carry up to 10,000 species with them 1930s through the 1950s, the Soil in their ballast tanks (to balance the ship), Conservation Service promoted it as an carrying biodiverse creatures throughout inexpensive, drought-resistant forage crop parts of the world. Marine organisms in the and as a great tool for control. ballast tanks are taken on at the of This let it to be planted in departure and discharged at the destination throughout the south. The plant looks port along with its surviving animals and innocent enough, and little did they know plants. Through the travel route, the that Kudzu is quite a killer, overtaking and potential exists for any species from any growing over anything in its path. This port on Earth to be introduced into the many semi-woody grows out of control new regions. Over the past 200 years, 200 or quickly, spreading through runners (stems more invasive species have established that root at the tip when in contact with themselves in the , replacing moist soil), rhizomes, and by vines that root native species and causing economic and at the nodes to form new plants. Once ecological problems (American Museum of established, kudzu grows at a rate of one Natural History). For example, ecologists foot per day with mature vines as long as that search for native crayfish find only 100 feet (The Conservancy 2015). invasive species. To manage the invasive Kudzu can easily overtake , abandoned species of crayfish, ecologists study homes, cars and telephone poles. Since the predatory as a strategy to keep the prolific plant is here, and free, why not put it of the invasive species low to some practical use? Basket makers have enough to prevent further ecological found that the rubber-like vines are excellent destruction. Researchers use a non-lethal for decorative and functional creations. method to examine the stomach contents of Ground kudzu root is also a common the fish to identify which fish species, and ingredient in foods and medications in Japan what sizes of fish species, are eating and China, as it contains a number of useful different sizes of crayfish. With this anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial information, researchers are able to pinpoint compounds (The Nature Conservancy which fish will be most effective 2015). It has even shown value in treating at controlling invasive crayfish populations. migraine and cluster headaches. However, aggressive plant species like kudzu can The notorious , Dreissena quickly replace a diverse ecosystem with a polymorpha, arrived in North American monoculture of only kudzu, illustrating a waters when ballast water from European key point that the decrease in biodiversity ships was pumped into . The caused by invasive species alters the mussels became established, and rapidly abundance and diversity of species that are spread via rivers through eastern North important for native wildlife. America, with the range of zebra mussels increasing exponentially between 1989 and 2005 (Sadava 2011). In recent years, the

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invasive has also begun to appear in point this example illustrates is that invasive lakes and streams of the American West, as species can be accidentally introduced into humans can unintentionally transport zebra the environment, often as an undetected mussel larvae from one body of water to the passenger on a ship, plane, or vehicle. The next in their watercraft. Zebra mussels can brown snake was introduced to attach to almost any hard surface, clogging this way, and as a result, wiped out most of water intake and discharging pipes. They the native bird life on the island. can also attach themselves to boat hulls and docks, and they even attach to native Invasive species aren’t just species — they mussels and crayfish. Since they are very can also be pathogens. The good water filterers, they remove substantial (WNV) is a prime example of this. The virus quantities of suspended particulate matter originates from Africa, and first arrived in and phyto-plankton from the water, reducing the United States in 1999 inside another the food supply for other marine organisms. invasive species, the Asian tiger mosquito. and removing mussels from water Now, it has been detected throughout most intakes and other structures costs hundreds of the continental United States. The main of millions of dollars each year (Grijalva route of human infection is through the bite 2013). The total impact of mussel of an infected mosquito, and, for people who infestations has been estimated at over $3.1 are exposed, one in 150 infected with WNV billion! Zebra mussels, an example of an will develop severe illness. Interestingly, aquatic invasive organism, illustrate how 80% of infections are subclinical — invasive species can change food webs. meaning they yield no symptoms. In others, the virus causes mild flu-like symptoms. The , irregularis, The severe symptoms can include high arrived on Guam in air cargo shortly after fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, II. The snake is actually native disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, to Australia and Indonesia. Until the brown muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and tree snakes were introduced to Guam after paralysis, and even death. The West Nile WWII, the only snake in the country was Virus has reduced wildlife populations one tiny, insect-eating species. They arrived throughout the United States. The virus can in Guam as accidental stowaways in lumber lead to encephalitis, inflammation of the shipments from New Guinea as islanders brain, and meningitis, inflammation of the rebuilt from the devastating effects of World meninges, the lining of the brain and spinal War II. Since its accidental introduction to cord. There were more than 5,500 cases of these islands in the 1950s, the brown tree West Nile Virus in the U.S. in 2012, and 286 snake has caused the extinction of 15 deaths (Walsh 2014), illustrating the species of land birds, including 3 found only disastrous effects invasive species can have on Guam, as well as reptiles and on human health and the health of native amphibians, and 2 of the 3 native bat species wildlife. in Guam (Sadava 2011). The brown tree snake also caused extensive damage to the Invasive species are a symptom of island's electrical grid. Although the snakes modernity. David Quammen lists invasive remained rare for the first 20 years species as the fifth of the five factors following their introduction, in the 1960s contributing to our current experiment in they began to multiply and today can be mass extinction in his article “Planet of found at densities as high as 5,000 .” Around 1950, Charles Elton, a individuals per square kilometer! The key British ecologist, prophetically warned that

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“we are living in a period of the world’s They compete with native wildlife for food history when the mingling of thousands of sources such as acorns. swine also can kinds of organisms from different parts of transmit diseases and parasites, such as the world is setting up terrific dislocations in pseudorabies, brucellosis, and tuberculosis, nature” (Quammen 65). Indeed, species are to livestock and people. Another example of relocated from place to place and the their ability to transmit disease is that the E. resulting ecosystems are thrown into coli from their feces was implicated in the E. disorder. There is a larger pattern to these coli contamination of baby spinach in 2006, invasions; invasive species, such as zebra killing three people and sickening around mussels, water hyacinths, kudzu, Asian 200 (NBC News). They dig constantly, gypsy , and others, are weedy species; eroding the earth, disrupting soil they reproduce quickly, disperse widely, ecosystems, and, since they are , tolerate a broad range, succeed in disturbed will cause extinction of native species if left ecosystems, and resist eradication once alone (Madigan 2014). Feral swine are they’re established. aggressive animals that can be extremely destructive to fields, fences, and facilities. Modern humans have played an increasing Their wallows can affect ponds and role in species invasions, as Homo sapiens wetlands, muddying the water and have colonized almost all of the ecosystems destroying aquatic vegetation. They can on Earth and tend to transform natural even strip a field of crops in one night and environments into agricultural or urban pose a threat to ground-nesting birds and landscapes. Human beings are “the most some endangered species! successful invasive species” (Rafferty). The Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus, is another There is significance and a pattern to the example of an invasive species. This conclusions one can make regarding was accidentally introduced to many Pacific invasive species. Direct threats of invasive islands during voyages of exploration species lead to their more indirect threats between the 18th and 19th centuries, and that compromise the stability of native since the rat’s accidental introduction, species. Some direct threats seen include populations have established themselves on that nonnative species prey on native species numerous islands, including Hawaii and (Brown tree snake, feral pigs), out-compete , where they prey on many native species for food or other resources native birds, small reptiles, and amphibians. (zebra mussels, an aquatic invasive Invasive species are a factor that threaten organism that threatens many species in the species persistence, and can have Great Lakes), cause or carry disease (West catastrophic effects by eliminating native Nile Virus, Feral Pigs), and also prevent species and threatening biodiversity. native species from reproducing or kill their young. These lead to the indirect threats of Feral pigs exemplify the disastrous effects invasive species: the alteration of food webs, invasive species can have by eliminating reducing biodiversity, and altering native species and threatening biodiversity. ecosystem conditions. Invasive species can They were brought to the United States as change the in an ecosystem by domestic pigs from and Asia, destroying or replacing native food sources, damage native plants and crops, and providing little to no food value for wildlife. compete with native species (National An example of this is zebra mussels, which Wildlife Federation). Feral pigs will eat consume incredible amounts of microscopic almost anything, including native birds. plants and animals from the water, depriving

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native species of food. Invasive species can the North American habitat, they do not alter the abundance or diversity of species constitute invasive species because they that are important habitat for native wildlife, remain firmly under human control (Ballaro such as the aggressive plant species kudzu. 2015). Some invasive species are capable of changing the conditions in an ecosystem, Invasive species and global warming have such as changing soil chemistry or the been found to be interrelated. Climate intensity of . Examples of invasive change is enhancing the ability for invasive species that can alter ecosystem conditions species to proliferate and spread. Higher include certain types of invasive grasses, the average temperatures and changes in rain paperbark tree in Australia and Florida, and and snow patterns caused by global warming certain types of canes growing in soils. will enable some invasive plant species— such as garlic mustard, kudzu and purple Researchers completed a very interesting loosestrife—to move into new areas. Insect study looking at invasive alien plant species pest infestations will be more severe as in Romania. A key finding was that invasion pests, such as the mountain beetle, are risk increased with landscape heterogeneity able to take advantage of drought-weakened (man-made changes to natural landscapes); plants. Higher temperatures and lower and agricultural areas were most prone precipitation will generally lead to more to invasion, whereas were least at cases of West Nile, as well as the spread of risk. During the summer of 2013, the group the virus to northern territories that haven’t of researchers mapped the presence of 8 yet been affected by it (Walsh 2014). prominent alien plant species across the study area of southern Transylvania, and It is worthwhile to study invasive organisms derived invasion risk maps for each species. in efforts to maintain biodiversity, as 42% of The results show that the eight invaders threatened or endangered species today are have great potential to further expand their at risk primarily due to invasive species. distribution, and echoing Quammen’s points Biodiversity boosts ecosystem in “Planet of Weeds,” the researchers found where each species, no matter how small, all that like many invasive species, the ones in have an important role to play. For example, this study were adapted to a larger number of plant species means a through their short life cycles, rapid greater variety of crops. Greater species germination, persistent seed banks, and diversity ensures natural sustainability for vegetative . all life forms (Shah 2014). It is possible to both prevent the introduction of invasive Truthfully, human beings have been species and to reduce the negative effects of introducing non-native plants and animals to already established invasive species, new environments for thousands of years, contributing to the protection of and most of the time, there have been biodiversity. Some solutions include the positive outcomes. Taking the United States instillation of protocols such as the closer as an example, non-native species include inspection of pallets in international trade those species not present prior to the and travel, effective education programs, colonization of the New World, such as and aggressive monitoring and eradication horses, dogs, cats, as well as many grains programs to reduce the deleterious effects of and other staple food crops on which invasive species. Another solution is Americans have come to depend. Even biocontrol, using a predator of the invasive though these organisms were transplanted to species as a strategy to reduce their numbers

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and negative effects. Using a predator of the county extension agent or local land invasive species to reduce their numbers is manager. Regularly cleaning your boots, currently being investigated with invasive gear, boat, tires and any outdoor equipment crayfish in the Great Lakes, but in any case is also a good idea to remove insects and this strategy requires close monitoring to plant parts that may spread invasive species ensure the introduced predator does not, in to new places. When camping, buy firewood turn, also become invasive. within 30 miles of your campsite instead of bringing your own from home, and leave There are also ways the average person can any extra there for the next campers. help curb the spread of invasive species. For and plants can easily hitch a instance, plant native plants and remove any ride on firewood you haul to or from a invasive plants in your garden— there are campsite, and this could inadvertently many good native plant alternatives to introduce an invasive organism to a new common exotic ornamental plants! Also, area (National Wildlife Federation). We learn to identify invasive species in your should remember that weeds are everyone’s area, learn more about invasive species in problem, and to spread the word, not the your state, and report any sightings to your weeds!

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Smithsonian National Zoological Park. Where Have the Birds of Guam Gone? Web. 4 April 2015.

United States Department of Agriculture: Service. 2014. Invasive Plants. fs.fed.us. 20 April 2015.

Walsh, Bryan. "Invasive Species. (Cover Story)." Time 184.4 (2014): 20. MAS Ultra - SchoolEdition. Web. 31 Mar. 2015.

Walsh, Bryan. “Thanks to , West Nile Virus Could Be Your New Neighbor.” Time (2014). Web. 31 Mar. 2015.

Zimmermann, Heike, et al. "Aliens In Transylvania: Risk Maps Of Invasive Alien Plant Species In Central Romania." Neobiota 24 (2015): 55-65. Academic Search Complete. Web. 15 Mar. 2015.

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