Managing invasive species

Invasive species are organisms that are non-native to an ecosystem and whose introduction causes economic, social or environmental harm. Nearly every terrestrial, wetland and aquatic ecosystem in the United States has been invaded by non-native species, with economic losses estimated at $137 billion per year. Land-grant universities are leading the battle against invasive species.

Here are a few examples of that work:

• Through field and lab experiments — and the help of more than 1,200 community scientists — researchers in Pennsylvania identified native species (including birds, arthropods, reptiles and small mammals) that prey on adult spotted lanternflies, an incredibly destructive pest in the northeastern U.S.
  _{Pennsylvania State University; project supported by McIntire-Stennis funds. See full statement.}
  
  
• Pennsylvania researchers also created an online tool that can help predict seasonal egg hatch for invasive spotted lanternflies. The agricultural industry, government agencies, university researchers, Extension professionals and local residents can use the tool to target management strategies so they are more effective.
  _{Pennsylvania State University; project supported by USDA Competitive and Hatch funds. See full statement.}
  
  
• Extension educators in New York provided kits for identifying invasive spotted lanternflies and trainings in Spanish for farm workers, who can help stop the pest from spreading. Extension is exploring whether dogs can detect spotted lanternfly egg masses.
  _{Cornell University; project supported by Smith-Lever (3b&c) funds. See full statement.}
  
  
• After attending invasive species field days hosted by Extension educators in Indiana, most participants reported they planned to incorporate methods they learned, including controlled burns and grazing goats to keep invasive species in check.
  _{Purdue University; project supported by Smith-Lever (3b&c) funds. See full statement.}
  
  
• Extension educators in New York removed thousands of invasive species from boats, kayaks and other watercraft before entering and exiting a popular lake that serves as a drinking water supply and a significant source of recreation revenue. This effort also raised awareness of more than 40,000 tourists and local residents about the importance of cleaning, draining and drying watercraft to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
  _{Cornell University; project supported by Smith-Lever (3b&c) funds. See full statement.}
  
  
• Using genetic analyses, fisheries scientists in Pennsylvania characterized the population structure of invasive flathead catfish and mapped invasion history. This helps researchers predict future invasions and assess potential mitigation strategies for this invasive species.
  _{Pennsylvania State University; project supported by Hatch funds. See full statement.}

Reducing environmental damage from feral hogs

Feral hogs are an invasive species that causes an estimated $1.5 billion in economic damages annually across the U.S. Feral hogs carry diseases that threaten people and other wildlife, and their wallowing behavior disrupts ecosystems and damages farmland and crops.

Researchers in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas developed damage estimates for croplands, forestlands and pasturelands. Setting a baseline for feral hog damage will help guide management practices.
_{University of Arkansas, Louisiana Tech University, Texas A&M University; project supported by McIntire-Stennis funds and state appropriations. See full statement.}

Wildlife scientists in Pennsylvania are tracking feral hogs in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and developed predictive models to give resource managers more information about where and when to implement control methods.
_{Pennsylvania State University; project supported by Hatch funds. See full statement.}

Researchers in Louisiana received a patent for a lethal bait for feral hogs. The bait is relatively humane and has minimal impact on nontarget species and the environment.
_{Louisiana State University; project supported by Hatch funds and private grants. See full statement.}

Photo courtesy Florida State University.