Invasive Species – Steuben County, Indiana

Damaging Both Our Environment and Economy

Invasive Species are plants and animals that damage both our environment and economy. Invasive species are often exotic (not found in North America prior to European settlement) and wreak havoc on native ecosystems. These species invade an area and out-compete native plants and animals for resources. Since these invasive species do not have any natural predators, their numbers will continue to grow unchecked without human intervention. Some of these invasive species were brought to the United State intentionally, while others were inadvertently introduced. A great deal of time and money are spent each year in an attempt to control these invaders.

Examples of Invasive Species

Some examples of invasive species include the Emerald Ash Borer beetle (Agrilus planipennis), which has been eliminating ash trees across the state. Asian bush honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) is an aggressive understory shrub which forms a dense thicket in the forest, shading out all other plants beneath it. Some aquatic invasive species include reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) forms thick stands in wet areas, over-taking native plants and forming a monoculture. Another aquatic invader is the zebra mussel (Dreisenna polymorpha), which attaches to any hard surface underwater, including native mussels, forming a thick layer which damages boats and structures, and kills the native mussel.

Weed: is a plant growing in a location where it is not wanted.

Noxious weeds: government-regulated plants that are deemed detrimental.

Invasive species: aggressive species which reproduce rapidly and out-compete other species for resources, negatively impacting the ecosystem.

Exotic species: species introduced to an area where they do not naturally occur.

State-listed Noxious Weeds: