Invasive Species

In addition to Noxious weeds, some plants have been

designated as invasive.

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state's invasive species list:

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• State Noxious Weeds

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Nebraska Invasive Tree Species

Category 2: Priority Invasive Plants

Defined as plants for which eradication is still possible.

Amur Maple- Acer ginnala Found in 3 eastern counties (2012)

European Alder-buckthorn- Frangula alnus Found in 1 county (2012)

Category 3: Established Invasive Plants

Defined as species established well enough that eradication is not likely. Listed species need to be controlled and contained when

possible to prevent further spreading.

Tree of Heaven- Ailanthus altissima

Russian Olive- Elaeagnus angustifolia

Autumn Olive- Elaeagnus umbellate

Osage Orange- Maclura pomifera

White Mulberry- Morus alba

Black Locust- Robinia pseudoacacia

Siberian Elm- Ulmus pumila

As defined by the Invasive Species Advisory Council, an invasive species is a non-native species

whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human, animal

or plant health.

Non-native doesn't always mean from outside North America. It could be that a certain type of oak

tree from California is going nuts in Florida throwing acorns everywhere, sprouting anywhere you look,

and doing just as well as, if not better than, the native species in the area. This too is an invasive

species. Think of invasive species more as a non-natives of the local ecosystem.

How bad is the problem?

The short answer is bad. There are over 380 invasive plant species in the southeastern United States

alone. Among the non-tree species, an aggressive vine called Kudzou, is spreading fast and causing

major damage to the forests. Invasive species aren't limited to plants. There are insects, animals and

invertebrates as well. One of the most noteworthy tragedies due to an invasive insect was loss of the

American Chestnut tree, which was almost entirely wiped out. You can read more about that and

reasons to stick with native species here. Sadly, this issue isn't limited to the southeastern United

States, or even the United States, this is a global problem and is changing forests and ecosystems

world wide.

How did this happen?

Invasive species arrived several different ways. Some were brought in for landscaping purposes and

have escaped into the wild. Others were brought unintentionally in contaminated seeds, in packing

materials, with livestock and in soils with other imported potted plants.

What are some common characteristics of invasive species?

Aggressive reproduction, rapid growth rate, mature early, adaptive, tolerant to changes and

disturbances, and having no natural enemies are a few characteristics most invasive species share.

Please note- these state lists include both state declared invasive species and species which are

declared invasive elsewhere but present in one or more counties within the state.

Sources:

The Nebraska Invasive Species Project

EDDMapS. 2013. Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System. The University of Georgia - Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem

Health. Available online at http://www.eddmaps.org/; last accessed January 17, 2013.

Invasive Species Advisory Council 2006, www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov, invasivespecies1.pdf

USDA PLANTS Database

What is an invasive species?

A little about Invasive species...