2 invasive species env 101 february 21, 2008 3 introduction eric proctor – environmental education...
TRANSCRIPT
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INVASIVE SPECIES
ENV 101
February 21, 2008
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Introduction
• Eric Proctor– Environmental Education Coordinator– Former classroom teacher (middle school science/social
studies)• Arizona Game and Fish Department– State agency responsible for the management of
wildlife in Arizona
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DefinitionsNative Species
Non-native Species
Invasive Species
An organism that occurs naturally in an area, typically before humans
An organism that originates in one location and is imported to a new location, introduced, exotic, alien, non-indigenous
Non-native species that outcompete native species, noxious, nuisance
Arizona’s Most Wanted
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How many crayfish can you find in this photo?
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Impacts of Invasive Species
• 50,000 invasives established in US• Total cost of $138 billion annually– Lost agricultural production– Decreased tourism and recreation– Does not include environmental losses and human health
• Invasive species is the second most serious threat to biodiversity
• Only real way to control is to prevent them from entering in the first place
Impacts of Invasive Species
PLANTS• 25,000 non-natives have escaped cultivation• $20 billion in ‘90s for control and management• Severely change the fire regime and nutrient cycles
FISH• May cost $6 billion annually• Increase water turbidity and reduce native vegetation• Dilute genetic pool
Impacts of Invasive SpeciesBIRDS• 10% of US species introduced• 95% of those cause damage to property and crops and
spread disease• Pigeons carry over 50 known diseases and cost over $1
billion per year to control
MAMMALS• Rats destroy more than $19 billion in grain per year• Feral cats kill about 465 million birds per year• Feral dogs cause about $10 million per year in loss to
livestock each year
Impacts of Invasive SpeciesMOLLUSKS• Zebra mussel already costs about $5 billion/year in
control and repairs• Expected to invade most fresh water bodies by 2020
ARTHROPODS• 4500 arthropods introduced into US• Red imported fire ant kills livestock at a cost of $1
billion/year• Bark beetles have destroyed 2-3% of Arizona’s forests,
some areas have 90% tree loss
Impacts of Invasive Species
HUMANS• Smallpox, HIV/AIDS, syphilis, cholera, and
“bird flu” are all invasive• Cost to treat newborns with syphilis: $18
million/year• Cost to treat US AIDS patients: $8 billion/year
Tracking and Predicting Movement
Quagga Mussels in Arizona• January 2007 – Detected in Lake Mead• Later detected in Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu• Fall 2007 – Detected in CAP canal in Scottsdale• December 2007 – Detected in Lake Pleasant
In your opinion:• How are they moving?• Where else might they be but not yet discovered?• Where might we expect them to travel during the next year?