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Learn more about the effects of invasive extoic species
on their environments with these
facts:
- Estimated damage and control cost of invasive species
in the US alone amount to more than $138 billion annually
- More than $100 million was spent by state
agencies in Florida in 2003–2004 to control invasive species
- Florida is listed with Hawaii, California and Louisiana
as one of the states with the greatest number of invasive nonindigenous
species.
- With an estimated 26 percent of all resident mammals,
58 birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish not native to the region,
South Florida has one of the largest non-native species communities
in the world
- It is estimated that ship ballast water transports between 3,000
and 7,000 foreign species daily around the globe.
EFFORTS TO STOP INVASIVE SPECIES
There are many different techniques that are being used to control
the invasive populations. Techniques used to control both plant and
animal species include:
Plants:
- Biological Controls (using insects and other
herbivores to stop plant species spreading)
- Herbicides
- Manual and Mechanical Controls (manually pulling
out plants from the ground or using machinery to bulldoze an area
of invasive plants)
- Cultural Practices (burning land areas and changing
water levels)
Animals:
- Exclusion (Use of barriers to prevent target
species from moving into unaffected areas)
- Habitat Manipulation (Removal of food/water
resources or breeding sites)
- Trapping (Catching the animal and relocating
or disposing of the animal humanely)
- Hunting or Fishing – (Use
of recreational hunting or fishing as means to reduce the population)
Besides implementing techniques to eradicate the current population
many governments and organizations are dedicated to educating the
public on exotic species and the proper way to care/live with these
animals. Many governments also try to limit the entry of invasive
species into their lands by inspecting international shipments and
performing custom checks.
Source: Wikipedia,
FWC, Invasive
Species Work Group
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