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U.S. Bureau of Land ManagementLearn more about native plants, get involved, and spread the word!
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Texas A&M Forest ServiceThe purpose of this document is to outline two methods of applying herbicide to reduce and control the competition created from re-sprouting hardwood species (primarily oak, and yaupon holly). The goal is to allow the native loblolly pine to again become a significant component of the next forest woodland.
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Western Governors’ AssociationPolicy Resolution 13-02: Western Governors support coordinated, prevention efforts of early detection and rapid response with multistate management and eradication actions to limit or eliminate introductions and improve control of invasive species expansion. Programs for the control and/or eradication of invasive species must result in more on-the-ground prevention, management and eradication.
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D.F. McKenzie, T.V. Dailey, K.M. Puckett and J. G. DotyThis 2nd edition of the NBCI’s annual “State of the Bobwhite” report provides the most comprehensive assessment ever compiled on the current state of bobwhite conservation in the US.
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T. D. SchowalterABSTRACT Barkbeetles (Coleoptera:Curculionidae:Scolytinae) have been an important historic and current factor affecting pine forest production in the southern United States. Although tree mortality to bark beetles often detracts from forest management goals, the natural role of barkbeetles is canopy opening, thinning, and diversification of stand structure and composition, effects that contribute to some ecosystem services in forests managed for multiple uses. Strategies to prevent barkbeetle outbreaks exploit their sensitivity to host tree spacing and reliance on pheromones to attract sufficient numbers to overwhelm tree defenses. Tree species selection at planting or through selective thinning can favor pine species that are more tolerant of site conditions and resistant to bark beetles. Precommercial or commercial thinning improves tree condition and creates barriers to beetle population growth and spread. Remedial options include salvage harvest, pheromones for trap-out or disruption of host location, and white paint to disrupt the dark silhouette of the tree bole. Given the labor costs and trade-offs among tactics and the marginal profitability of fiber and timber production, harvest in advance of,or salvage harvest after, barkbeetle attack often is the favored management strategy. However, this strategy is not as appropriate in public forests managed for values provided by older, more vulnerable trees. High-value sites for cultural or endangered species protection may require use of more expensive management options.
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Steve ByrnsWhat’s a quail worth? The short answer — as it relates to a wild Texas quail — is $253 each, according to a recently completed survey of Texas quail hunters.
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Marla Downing and Joseph G. O’BrienExFor is an Internet-accessible database containing information on forest pests that can be used by workers worldwide. This document describes the guidelines to be followed by contributors to the ExFor database in evaluating exotic forest pests and in submitting background information to the database.
Regulatory and forest protection agencies, as well as researchers and field workers in forest health and related fields, will benefit from the ready availability of information on a wide variety of pests with potential to become established in North American forests. The information is presented in such a way as to be useful for many purposes. Although the emphasis in the pest risk assessment model developed for this project is on potential establishment and impact, information on pathways for introduction and means of dispersal is provided in the Pest Facts Sheets. It is anticipated that this information will prove useful for the assessment and management of introduced pests, wood products and other commodities from offshore sources.
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USDA Forest Service - Region 8The purpose of the
Southern Region (R8) Non-Native Invasive Species Strategy is to provide an effective interdisciplinary framework to implement Non-Native Invasive Species (NNIS) management programs. The implementation will include R8 National Forests, State and Private Forestry, and Research and Development programs as applicable.
The goal of the R8 NNIS Program in the South is to reduce, minimize, or eliminate the potential for introduction, establishment, spread, and impact of non-native invasive species across all landscapes and ownerships. The vision for this program is to protect native ecosystems and biodiversity, as well as begin restoration of desired ecological functions or components after NNIS removal.
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Bill Zook and Stephen Phillips Read More »By:
Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species Read More »By:
Joe DiVittorio, Michael Grodowitz, Joe Snow, and Teri ManrossProcedures have been developed in this manual to address the transport of pest and invasive species through equipment movement. This manual provides uniform guidelines for inspecting and cleaning vehicles and equipment to help prevent the spread of pest and invasive species during Bureau of Reclamation activities.
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Oregon Sea GrantThis is a guide for field detection and for treating field gear to prevent the spread of New Zealand mudsnails. It is intended for researchers, monitoring crews, watershed survey groups, and anyone else who travels frequently between aquatic or riparian locations.
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Bill Hamrick, Mark Smith, Chris Jaworowski, & Bronson StricklandSummarizes biology of wild pigs, history of introduction and range of occurence within the U.S., and ecological and economic impacts, with suggestions for management strategies.
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National Invasive Species CouncilInvasive Species introduced into the United States from around the globe are affecting plant and animal communities on our farms, ranches and coasts; and in our parks, waters, forests, and backyards. As global climate patterns shift, the distribution of species will change, and so will the susceptibility of particular habitats to the impacts of new species introductions. Human activity such as trade, travel and tourism have all increased substantially, increasing the speed and volume of species movement to unprecedented levels. Invasive species are often unintended hitchhikers on cargo and other trade conveyances. Still more species are deliberately introduced as pets, ornamental plants, crops, food, or for recreation, pest control or other purposes. Most nonnative species, including most of our sources of food and fiber, are not harmful; and many are highly beneficial. A small percentage of nonnative species cause great harm to the environment, the economy or human health. Nonnative species that cause harm are collectively known as invasive species.
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USDA - Forest ServiceNon-native plants, animals, and microorganisms found outside of their natural range can become invasive. While many of these are harmless because they do not reproduce or spread in their new surroundings, other non-native species (NNIS) are considered invasive if they can cause harm to the economy, ecology or human health of the new environment. These species thrive in new areas because they establish relatively quickly, tolerate a wide range of conditions, are easily dispersed, and are no longer limited by the diseases, predators, and parasites that kept their populations in check in their native range.
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceConstructing a water garden is a unique and enjoyable way to accent a property. There are many types of aquatic plants and animals commonly used in water gardens including water lettuce, cattails and koi. Many of the popular species are not native to the area or watershed in which they are being planted.
Introduced species are defined as any individual, group, subspecies or population that enters an aquatic ecosystem outside of its historical native range. These species may be plants or animals and may arrive from different countries or from different locations of the same country. Non-native species like goldfish and purple loosestrife, are now prevalent in many regions across the U.S. after first being used as ornamentals. Once established, introduced species may cause ecological and economic problems and can be difficult if not impossible to control or eradicate.
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Logan HawkesRod Pinkston, a former U.S. Army Master Sergeant and war veteran, may well be one of the world's best and most intuitive wild hog hunters in the world.
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C. W. Evans, D. J. Moorhead, C. T. Bargeron and G. K. DouceMany forest managers are unknowingly introducing and spreading invasive plants on their lands through management practices they implement. These practices, ranging from traditional silvicultural management to wildlife enhancement and land-use conversion practices, all influence invasive plant growth, reproduction, and dispersal. Recognizing and predicting the response of individual species to these practices will enable managers to take steps to prevent or reduce the impact of invasive plants on their land. Many of these species eliminate all productive uses on infested sites and are very expensive to control and/or eradicate. Knowing which invasive plants are common in your region and being able to identify them aids in quickly responding to new threats. Monitoring disturbed areas and proper sanitation of equipment helps prevent new infestations. Issues such as when and how to use prescribed fire and how different invasive plants will respond can be confusing and overwhelming. This publication integrates vegetation management guidelines and control techniques with silvicultural practices, such as prescribed fire, harvest techniques, site preparation, timber stand improvement, and wildlife plantings, in a format that will help the manager understand the relationship of management practices and invasive plants.
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ANSTFAquatic nuisance species (ANS) are nonindigenous species that threaten the diversity or abundance of native species, the ecological stability of infested waters, and/or any commercial, agricultural, aquacultural, or recreational activities dependent on such waters. ANS include nonindigenous species that may occur within inland, estuarine, or marine waters and that presently or potentially threaten ecological processes or natural resources. The term ANS is often used interchangeably with aquatic invasive species, the preferred term of Federal and State managers. An aquatic invasive species is defined as a species not native to the ecosystem under consideration whereby introduction of this species does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or threaten human health.
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K Gregg ElliottFeral animals are those that have returned to an untamed state after having been domesticated. Such is the case with almost all the wild pigs in North America. Although some of the truly wild Eurasian or “Russian” boars have been brought to the U.S., they are rare, and most feral hogs descend from livestock or are a hybrid of the two species.
Read More »Excerpts from the Texas Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) applicable to private landowners.
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Chris Demers, Alan Long and Patrick MinogueProvides instructions for artificial regeneration, site prep, seedings and planting to re-establish longleaf pine. The guidelines conclude, “Longleaf pine has many desirable characteristics for landowners who have multiple-use forest management objectives. On appropriate sites, and with careful attention to detail during the regeneration phase, it is possible to enjoy the versatility of this species without compromising growth rates.”
Read More »According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, endemic species are native species that are confined to a certain region or having a comparatively restricted distribution. For example, the Joshua Tree is endemic to the Mojave Desert. In other words, endemics, wherever they are located, are unique to their region. In general, the greater the isolation or specialized nature of the habitat, the more numerous the endemics. Thus, according to Britannica Encyclopedia online, species on remote oceanic islands tend to be almost 100% endemic.
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