Invasive Species Impacts
Ecological Impacts
One of the single largest threats to our nation's natural resources, invasive species:
- Decrease biodiversity.
- Put endangered and threatened species at further risk. In fact, invasive species are the second leading cause of animal population decline and extinction worldwide.
- Displace native plants that wildlife and fish depend on for food.
- Increase soil erosion and can cause major damage to streams and other wetland areas that provide habitat for native fish, plants, and animals.
- Increase the frequency and risk of wildfires.
- Reduce agricultural production and property values.
Websites
NatureServe: Invasive Species Issues
Protect Your Waters: Aquatic Nuisance Species Impacts
Habitattitude: Impacts of Invasive Fish and Aquatic Plants
USFS Pacific Northwest Research Station: Invasive Species Impacts Overview
UN Food and Agriculture Organization: Impacts on Forests and Forestry
Articles and Publications
Impacts of Invasive Species on Ecosystem Services (PDF)
H. Charles and J.S. Dukes | 2007
The Impact of Invasive Species
PBS Nova | 2003
100 of the World's Worst Invasive Alien Species (PDF)
Invasive Species Specialist Group | 2004
America's Silent Killer: How Invasive Species Threaten America's Unique Wildlife Heritage
Environmental Impacts of Marine Exotics
J.T. Carlton | 2004
Economic Impacts
Websites
US Fish and Wildlife Service: The Cost of Invasive Species
National Invasive Species Information Center: Economic Impacts of Invasive Species
Invasive Species Cost Calculator
USDA Economic Research Service: Invasive Species Issues
Articles and Publications
Managing Invasive Species: How Much Do We Spend? (Alaska)
T. Schworer, R. Federer, and H. Ferren | 2012
The Economics of Invasive Species (Oregon Invasive Species Council)
C. Cusack, M. Harte, and S. Chan | 2012
Economic Impacts of Invasive Species in the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PDF)
PNWER Invasive Species Working Group | 2012
Invasive Exotic Animals Costing US Billions of Dollars
J. Davis | 2010
Invasive Plants: Their Role in Species Extinctions and Economic Losses to Agriculture in the USA
D. Pimentel | 2009
Economic Costs of Delaying Invasive Weed Control: An Illustration Based on Nevada's Tall Whitetop Initiative, 2008 (PDF)
M. Eiswerth, W. Johnson, S. Lewis, and L. Hughes | 2008
Annual Losses to Great Lakes Region by Ship-borne Invasive Species at Least $200 Million, 2009 (PDF)
D. Lodge and D. Finnoff | 2008
Plant, Animal, and Microbe Invasive Species in the United States and World
D. Pimentel, M. Pimentel, and A. Wilson | 2007
Environmental Consequences and Economic Costs of Alien Species
D. Pimentel | 2005
Update on the Environmental and Economic Costs Associated with Alien-Invasive Species in the US (PDF)
D. Pimentel, R. Zuniga, and D. Morrison | 2005
An Annotated Bibliography on the Economics of Invasive Plants, 2004 (PDF)
S. Stutzman, K.M. Jetter, and K.M. Klonsky | 2004
Economic Effects of Invasive Weeds on Land Values (from an Agricultural Banker's Standpoint)
C. Weiser | 1997
General Impacts
Websites
Frequently Asked Questions About Invasive Species
Why Are Invasive Species a Problem?
California Invasive Plant Council: Impacts of Invasive Plants
WeedsBC: Impacts of Noxious Weeds
Articles and Publications
Estimating Net Losses in Recreation Use Values from Non-indigenous Invasive Weeds (PDF)
The Impact of Invasive Species
Alexandre Meinesz | 2003
