Invasive Species Threaten Vermont’s Biodiversity….
According to the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, not all species of plants and animals in Vermont are native. Many non-natives, such as honey bees and apple trees, have become part of the Vermont landscape without causing harm.
However, invasive species are non-natives whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic and environmental harm. Invasive species threaten Vermont’s biodiversity and Vermonters’ livelihoods by disrupting important natural processes such as forest regeneration and the food web, degrading habitat, and preying upon and out-competing native plants and animals.
Aquatic Invasives
- Includes plants such as such as purple loosestrife, water chestnut, or Eurasian milfoil, and animals like zebra mussels, spiny water flea and white perch.
- Can devastate river and lake habitats, spoil fishing opportunities and cause native species to decline.
- Are usually spread by clinging to boats or trailers as they travel between waterbodies, or when people do not follow baitfish regulations.
Terrestrial Invasives
- Includes plants like garlic mustard, buckthorn and Japanese knotweed that can poison soils, cause streambank erosion, and crowd out native plants.
- Also includes forest pest insects like the Asian longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer, and hemlock wooly adelgid.