College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences; Public Service and Agriculture; Research

National Invasive Species Awareness Week set for May 16-23

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CLEMSON – Invasive species are detrimental to ecological systems and a Clemson University forestry expert says National Invasive Species Awareness Week is a perfect time to learn how to manage these invaders.

Bradford pear trees grow in the Upstate.
Learn more about invasive species, such as Bradford pear trees, during National Invasive Species Awareness Week, May 16-23.

National Invasive Species Awareness Week is May 16-23. David Coyle, a Clemson assistant professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation as well as president of the North American Invasive Species Management Association, says invasive species of both plants and insects are among the greatest dangers to our native habitats and their inhabitants.

“Invasive species are some of the most significant threats to our native ecosystems, both in natural and production systems,” Coyle said. “Many of these species are plants which are brought in for horticultural purposes because they’re pretty. Others are brought in for agricultural purposes. Once introduced to a new area, these invasive species are likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.”

Invasive species are best managed by preventing their presence in a habitat or on landscape. When prevention is no longer an option, actions must be taken to eradicate, reduce, or manage them. Invasive plant species can easily grow, adapt and encompass large areas resulting in decreased plant biodiversity and posing a threat to the integrity of the ecosystems. These species compete for moisture, sunlight, nutrients and space, contributing to the decline of 42% of endangered and threatened species in the United States. More than 100 million acres in the United States are affected by invasive plant species.

[vid origin=”youtube” vid_id=”pn3yX3v2Y_s” size=”medium” align=”left”]

In South Carolina, Coyle said Callery (or Bradford) pear is “arguably the worst invasive plant species we have.” Other common invasive species include privet (Chinese and Japanese), wisteria (Chinese and Japanese), mimosa tree, tree-of-heaven and Chinaberry.

“Cogongrass is another species we’re keeping our eyes on,” Coyle said. “We have limited infestations and we don’t want it to grow out of control.”

Managing invasive plants often comes down to using herbicides or physically reducing the spread of the plant. Sometimes, management involves “not planting it in the first place,” such as with Bradford pear trees.

For invasive insects, diseases, fungi and the like, Coyle said it’s “pretty much” the same, but emphasis should be on not moving host material coupled with proper and effective monitoring.

“First we have to know where the insect or pathogen is, then we can determine how to manage it on a local level,” Coyle said. “Programs that survey for pests at the border and/or ports are invaluable, as they really do represent our first line of defense against invasive species.”

Among the most common invasive insects in South Carolina are the redbay ambrosia beetle, black twig borer and emerald ash borer. The most common invasive fungus is laurel wilt, which is spread by the redbay ambrosia beetle.

Insects and fungi nearly always arrive to a country by accident on commodities or shipping material. Unless controlled, invasive fungi, insects and plants can create major ecological and economic impacts. At the state level, the Invasive Species Program in Clemson’s Regulatory Services unit carries out detection, monitoring, control and eradication projects to help reduce such damage.

Nationally there is a federal effort to detect non-native organisms at ports of entry, but some invaders do slip through the cracks. A 2005 study from the United States Department of Agriculture estimated the economic damages associated with invasive species in the United States reached approximately $120 billion per year.

“Worldwide, the estimate is now $1.4 trillion, or 5% of the global economy, per year,” Coyle said. “From an ecology standpoint, invasive species can wipe out entire groups of species, creating monocultures that harbor little to no diversity.”

National Invasive Species Awareness Week was created to help raise awareness of the impacts of invasive species. The May 16-23 Awareness Week is the second one held this year. A similar event was held in late February. Under normal conditions, Coyle said he and other members of the association would go to Washington D.C. to work with Congress to help further awareness efforts.

“But this year, with COVID-19 and social distancing, we’re providing information through webinars and other web-based materials,” Coyle said.

The webinars are available online at https://bit.ly/NAISMA_Webinars. Information to help plan an event is available at https://www.nisaw.org/.

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*Video provided to Clemson PSA by the SC Forestry Commission for previous National Invasive Species Awareness Week.* Footage alternates between David Jenkins, Forest Health Coordinator of SC Forestry Commission (voice throughout video) and footage of Bradford Pear trees, proper equipment (described in the video), and footage of a Bradford Pear being cut down and treated with herbicide.
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