Nov. 11 Talk to Focus on Invasive Plants, Animals and Insects (0811050)

November 05, 2008

LINCOLN, Neb. — Feral hogs, emerald ash borers and the common reed are among the invasive species that are threatening Nebraska's well-being and costing the state millions, and the public can learn more at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, in the Hardin Hall auditorium.

Craig Allen, leader of the Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, will present "Nebraska Invasive Species Project: Monitoring, Mapping, Risk and Management." Parking will be available adjacent to Hardin Hall during the event.

"Biological invasions – when a plant, animal or insect moves into a new territory and has left behind its natural enemies – are a growing threat to humans and nature. Invasive species may out-compete native plants and animals, may irreversibly damage ecosystems, and definitely cost Nebraskans millions of dollars each year," Allen said.

Allen pointed out that Nebraska recently authorized $2 million to combat the common reed, native to Eurasia, which could cause flooding if allowed to choke rivers. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is working on eradicating several pockets of feral hogs, which are destructive in both wilderness and agricultural areas. Allen added that estimates of annual costs associated with non-indigenous species in the United States exceed $120 billion.

The emerald ash borer, a beautiful and highly destructive insect, kills ash trees, and would thrive on the streets of Lincoln that have landscaped with a row of ash trees, rather than a combination of different types of trees. "The emerald ash borer is not here yet, but it's on our borders," Allen said.

People can help combat invasive species by choosing native plants for landscaping, not releasing exotic pets into the wild, checking boats for zebra mussels before driving home, checking boots for seeds and insects before driving from one outdoor area to another, and generally by being aware of the consequences of choices and actions related to the outdoors, Allen said.

Ecosystems are like our own bodies, said Annabel Major, invasive species outreach coordinator. "If everything's functioning properly, you're more resilient to disease." Invasive species are like junk food, in that they may be appealing on some level, she said, but "you don't really know it's doing anything to you until it's too late."

11/5/08-KS