The USDA defines an invasive species as "an alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health" as per Executive Order 13112: Section 1. Definitions. The Mid-Atlantic Invasive Plant Council estimates that over 300 invasive terrestrial and aquatic plant species occur in the region. The Chesapeake Bay itself has more than 200 known invasive aquatic plant and animal species according to Maryland Sea Grant. Of those, the six species of greatest concern are mute swans, nutria, common reed, purple loosestrife, water chestnut, and zebra mussels.
Thirteen species-specific case studies were developed to gain knowledge about some of the more pernicious invasive species in Maryland. These student-compiled invasive species case studies encompass both terrestrial and aquatic habitats, as well as plants, animals, and aquatic diseases:
- Terrestrial plants: Japanese knotweed, Reynoutria japonica
- Terrestrial mammals: sika deer, Cervus nipon
- Terrestrial insects: tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus; emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis; hemlock wooly adelgid, Adelges tsugae
- Aquatic plants: water chestnut, Trapa natans
- Aquatic mammals: nutria, Myocastor coypus
- Aquatic vertebrates: blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus; flathead catfish, Pylodictis olivaris; snakehead – Channa argus
- Aquatic invertebrates: zebra mussels, Dreissena polymorpha
- Aquatic diseases: MSX - Haplosporidium nelson, Novirhabdovirus
View the student presentations for each case study by following the image links below:
INVASIVE SPECIES ISG HOME CASE STUDIES MANAGEMENT BRIEFS
Header image courtesy of Chesapeake Bay Program.