1. By Keith Thomas Invasive Plants and Animals in Connecticut, their Impacts, and Possible Solutions

2. Introduction Invasive Species - An invasive species is a species that, though non-native to a region, becomes established there, and successfully out-competes the previously present local wildlife. These species usually lack predators to keep their population in check. 40

3. Causes? Non-native species are imported by… Natural Events, including… Weather patterns Tides and currents Animal movement unrelated to humans Human activities, including… Gardening Agriculture/Aquaculture Shipping of goods, animals, and people 39 46

4. Why do we give a rat’s behind what invasive species do? Invasive wildlife causes… Decrease in biodiversity through… Competing for food Eating native species Lessening a local population’s genetic variation 45 Altering ecological cycles Destruction to human property, agriculture and aquaculture such as… “Adversely affecting recreational activities, and depressing lakefront property values.” 2 54

5. 31

6. Biodiversity Biodiversity – The variety of wildlife in a given ecosystem. It is important to have it to keep ecological stability. As invasive species decrease biodiversity, the native species weaken, becoming more susceptible to diseases and other pests. 13 “At least 40 per cent of the world’s economy and 80 per cent of the needs of the poor are derived from biological resources. In addition, the richer the diversity of life, the greater the opportunity for medical discoveries, economic development, and adaptive responses to such new challenges as climate change.” 16 29

7. “[Invasive species are] a global problem costing enormous ecological and economic problems.” 2 So, what do we do about invasive species? 21

8. What have we done in the past? Laws The US has been fighting non-native species since as early as 1954, in which the US and Canada held a convention on the Great Lakes fisheries, in which both agreed to form a Commission to do research on the fisheries in order to help combat the parasitic sea lamprey, which was doing serious damage to the fisheries. 14 1

9. What have we done in the past? Laws In 1957, Congress passed the Federal Plant Pest Act, which prohibited “the movement of plant pests from a foreign country into or through the United States unless authorized by USDA.” 21 The Federal Noxious Weed Act was passed in 1975, in which “the Secretary of Agriculture was given the authority to designate plants as noxious weeds by regulation, and the movement of all such weeds in interstate or foreign commerce was prohibited except under permit.” 17

10. What have we done in the past? Laws 1990 heralded the passing of the Non-Indigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act. 18 The aforementioned act was modified 6 years later by the National Invasive Species Act, mostly by trying to prevent the release of invasive species in the Great Lakes through ballast water. 33 The National Invasive Species Council was created in 1999 by Executive Order 13112. 28

11. Zebra Mussels 23 37 30 52 15 51

12. Zebra Mussel Distribution 50

13. Jeeze, hopefully the public’s helping too… Fortunately, they are indeed helping. There are various websites that will tell you what YOU can do to help in the fight against invasive species. Some public organizations that have been formed to help the effort, or that were formed for other purposes but seem to be helping anyways, include: Defenders of Wildlife (biodiversitypartners.org) Connecticut Invasive Plant Workgroup (hort.uconn.com)hort.uconn.com Many, many more. 16 748 12

14. Is the government doing anything beyond sitting around and being bureaucratic and passing laws? …Not really. Department of Environmental Protection- http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2702&q=323494& depNav_GID=1641 http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2702&q=323494& depNav_GID=1641 http://www.ct.gov/Dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2702&q=323496& depNav_GID=1641 Environmental Protection Agency- Extremely difficult to find, and rather unhelpful when found. 20

15. Picture Break 5 24 8 49 12 4 9

16. Screw the War on Terrorism! Lets get one going against Invasive Species! Thesis: Invasive species are a major problem, for humans and native species alike. By working together and spreading awareness, the problem can be fixed though. Proposed Solutions: Step 1: Spread Awareness/Rouse the Troops Advertisements Meetings Step 2: Take Action/CHHHHAAAARRRGGGGEEE!!!! Fight them in the trenches, fight them in the streets, KILL THEM ALL! Step 3: Make sure they don’t come back Tougher prevention laws Thesis: Invasive species are bad.

17. Didymo, “Rock Snot” 40

18. Mwahahaha! 48 23 13 41

19. Bibliography 1. "Angler's Monitoring Network." Department of Environmental Quality. 30 Aug. 2008. 2. "Aquatic Nuisance Species." Connecticut Sea Grant. 8 July 2008. University of Connecticut. 17 Aug. 2008. 3. "Baltimore Sun." 30 Aug. 2008. 4. "Berry." City of Milford. 30 Aug. 2008. 5. "Brooklyn Parrots." Brooklyn Parrots. 20 Aug. 2008. 6. Brown, Gregory P., Cathy Shilton, Benjamin L. Phillips, and Richard Shine. "Invader Under Stress: Spinal Arthritis in Invasive Cane Toads." Invasive Animals CRC. 30 Aug. 2008. 7. "Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Help." Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Help. 20 Aug. 2008. 8. “Chesapeake Bay Foundation." 20 Aug. 2008. 9. “The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Invasive Aquatic Plant Program." State of Connecticut. 24 Dec. 2007. 17 Aug. 2008. 10. “Connecticut Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan." Connecticut Sea Grant. 28 June 2007. University of Connecticut. 17 Aug. 2008. 11. “Connecticut Invasive Plant List 2004." Invasive Plant Atlas of New England. Jan. 2004. 17 Aug. 2008. 12. “Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group." Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group. Aug. 2008. University of Connecticut. 20 Aug. 2008. 13. “Convention on Biological Diversity Leaflet." Convention on Biological Diversity. 30 Aug. 2008. 14. "Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries between The United States of America and Canada." Great Lakes Fishery Convention. 20 Aug. 2008. 15. Daily, Patriot. "Invasive Species Threat to US Waters." The Environmentalist. 12 Aug. 2008. 17 Aug. 2008. 16. “Defenders of Wildlife." Defenders of Wildlife. Defenders of Wildlife. 20 Aug. 2008. 17. "Digest of Federal Resource Laws of Interest to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service." Fish and Wildlife Service. 30 Aug. 2008. 18. "Digest of Federal Resource Laws of Interest to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service." Fish and Wildlife Service. 30 Aug. 2008. 19. “Ecologically Invasive Plants." University of Connecticut. 17 Aug. 2008. 20. “Environmental Protection Agency." Environmental Protection Agency. 17 Aug. 2008. 21. "Federal Plant Pest Act." Webster's Online Dictionary. 30 Aug. 2008. 22. "From Microbes to Mamals - Invasive Species." 10 Sept. 2002. U.S. Geological Survey. 20 Aug. 2008. 23. "The Great Lakes Today: Concerns." 24 July 2008. United States Environmental Protection Agency. 17 Aug. 2008. 24. “Hydrilla In Canals." Imperial Irrigation District. 20 Aug. 2008. 25. “Invasive Species." Connecticut River Coordinator's Office. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 30 Aug. 2008. 26. “Invasive Species." State of Connecticut. Summer 2008. Department of Environmental Protection. 20 Aug. 2008. 27. “Invasive Species Identification Sheets." Connecticut National Resources Conservation Service. Department of Agricultural. 30 Aug. 2008. 28. "Invasive Species: Laws and Regulations - Executive Order 13112." National Invasive Species Information Center. United States Department of Agriculture. 30 Aug. 2008. 29. Kelly, Kevin. "Biodiversity." Kevin Kelly. 17 Aug. 2008. 30. Mittermaier, Beth. "Alien Profile: Zebra Mussel." EEK! 1996. 30 Aug. 2008. 31. “Moldy Chum." 17 Aug. 2008. 32. “N/A." Wikimedia. 17 Aug. 2008. 33. "National Invasive Species Act of 1996." Northeast Midwest Institute. 30 Aug. 2008. 34. The Nature Conservacy. "Early Detection and Cooperation Prevents the Establishment." The Global Invasive Species Team. 22 July 2008. GISI. 18 Aug. 2008. 35. “Nibert Burn." Pennsylvania College of Technology. 30 Aug. 2008. 36. “Non-Native Invasive Plant Species Policy." State of Connecticut. 13 Nov. 1998. Department of Environmental Protection. 20 Aug. 2008. 37. "Non-Native Invasive Species." Great Lakes Information Network. 20 Aug. 2008. 38. “Oregon Invasive Species Council Frequently Asked Questions." State of Oregon. 17 Aug. 2008. 39. “Raeside Cartoon." 20 Aug. 2008. 40. “South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks Department." 30 Aug. 2008. 41. “Steel-Toed Clown Boot." 30 Aug. 2008. 42. “Studying the Human Effect on Invasive Species." Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network. 20 Aug. 2008. 43. “Tallula." 30 Aug. 2008. 44. Timmer, John. "Invasive Animals Wiping Out Genetic Species Boundaries." ARS Technica. 25 July 2008. 17 Aug. 2008. 45. "Tornado Logo." Team Tornado. 23 Aug. 2008. 46. “Treepix." 30 Aug. 2008. 47. Varney, Robert W. "Fighting The Spread of Invasive Species in Connecticut." New England Environmental Protection Agency. 9 Aug. 2004. Environmental Protection Agency. 30 Aug. 2008. 48. “Workgroups and Panel Members." Mid-Atlantic Panel on Aquatic Invasive Species. 20 Aug. 2008. 49. “Yellow Iris." Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 20 Aug. 2008. 50. Zebra and Quagga Mussels Sighting Distribution." 2 Sept. 2008. United States Geological Survey. 4 Sept. 2008. 51. "Zebra Mussel Foul-Release." 20 Aug. 2008. 52. "Zebra Mussels." Lake George Association. 20 Aug. 2008. 53. 19 Aug. 2008.