Effects of Invasive Plants on Wildlife Mark Hostetler IFAS, University of Florida.
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Transcript of Effects of Invasive Plants on Wildlife Mark Hostetler IFAS, University of Florida.
Effects of Invasive Plants on Wildlife
Mark HostetlerIFAS, University of Florida
Overview
• Wildlife – Basic Habitat Requirements– An example about birds
• Invasive Plants– How they disrupt wildlife habitat– Specific examples
• All animals need:–Food–Cover–Water–Space
Wildlife Habitat
Photo by Joe Schaefer
Habitat
Invasive Exotic Plant?
•An Exotic plant that is free-living and can cause
environmental or economic damage
•Considered invasive exotic by the Invasive Species
Working Group:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/lands/invaspec/
Wildlife?
Shoal Bass
Alligator
Flatwoods Salamander
O.-crowned Warbler
Black BearKatydid
Habitat for Birds
FOOD
Insectivores
Photos courtesy of www.flwildflowers.com
Insect Eaters
Hairy Woodpecker
Yellow Warbler
Great-crested Flycatcher
Granivores
Sweet Gum Tree
Spanish Needle
Seed Eaters
White-crowned SparrowHouse Finch
Tufted TitmouseBlue Jay
Frugivores
Many different plant species produce fruit(e.g., hollies, cedar trees, beauty berries, wax myrtles)
www.flwildflowers.com
Beautyberry Holly spp.
Nectivores
Trumpet vine
Hummingbirds like to feed on plants that produce nectar
Coral Honeysuckle
Fruit and Nectar Eaters
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Brown ThrasherCedar Waxwing
Northern Mockingbird
Carnivores
Meat Eaters
Barred Owl
Loggerhead Shrike
Great-horned Owl
COVER
Cavities
• Snags are in
short supply in
some habitat
Primary Cavity Nesters
Hairy WoodpeckerHairy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Secondary Cavity Nesters
• Photos of owls, titmice, chickadees, etc.Tufted Titmouse
Great-crested Flycatcher
Carolina Chickadee
Eastern Bluebird
Vegetation for Cover
• Safety from predators
• Some nest on the ground where there is lots of vegetative cover
WATER
Aquatic Birds
Great Egret
Osprey
Space
Example: Trees and a Bird
How Do Invasive Plants Affect Wildlife?
• Food
• Cover
• Water
• Space
Effects of Invasive Plants on Wildlife Populations
• Create monocultures of new habitat
• Alter ecological processes (e.g., fire frequencies and intensity)
Air Potato(Dioscorea bulbifera)
• Covers mature trees and shades out understory vegetation
• Impact on wildlife has not been well studied
Australian Pine(Casuarina spp.)
• Quickly colonizes disturbed beach plant communities
• Invasions produce dense litter• Decrease in small mammal population
densities• Affects nesting efforts of sea turtles and
American crocodiles
Brazilian Pepper(Schinus terebinthifolius)
• Forms dense monospecific stands
• Fewer birds nest in pepper forests
• In some cases, fewer amphibians and reptile species were collected in pepper forests
Chinese Tallow(Sapium sebiferum)
• Forms dense monospecific stands• Increase nutrient loading on aquatic
systems• Impact on wildlife has not been well
studied
Hydrilla(Hydrilla verticillata)
• Reduces light penetration and low levels of dissolved oxygen beneath canopy
• Can shift macroinvertebrate populations
• In extreme situations, can affect growth rate of popular game fishes
• Food for some waterfowl species
Hydrilla
Old World Climbing Fern(Lygodium microphyllum)
• Dense blankets over native trees
• Insect diversity is decreased
• Impact on other wildlife has not been well studied
Melaleuca(Melaleuca quinquenervia)
• Extremely dense monospecific forests
• Some evidence that it causes wetlands to dry up
• Fires burn hotter in wetlands
Melaleuca
• Decrease in small mammal population densities (?)
• Poor forage for large vertebrates• Some birds are benefited• Generally, effects on wildlife not well studied
Torpedo Grass(Panicum repens)
• Forms extensive monospecific stands of grass
• Displaces native vegetation along shorelines
• Little value for fishes, waterfowl, or songbirds
Water Hyancith(Eichhornia crassipes)
• Forms dense aquatic plant canopy cover
• Low light intensities and dissolved oxygen levels
• Smothers beds of native submersed vegetation
• Can cause lower fish production
Spotted Knapweed(Centaurea maculosa)
• Reduced forage of elk between 50 & 90%
Leafy Spurge(Euphorbia esula)
• Reduced bison forage by 83%
Impact on Wildlife?
• Invasives change the environment (e.g., closed canopy and dissolved oxygen levels)
• Invasives replace native plants - most wildlife cannot eat invasive plants
• Disrupts food chain
• Web site: www.wec.ufl.edu/extension
• Call your local extension office
• Call Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or visit www.state.fl.us/fwc
Where to Go for Info On Wildlife?
Where to Go For Info on Invasive Species?
•Center for Aquatic & Invasive Plants
http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/
•Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council
http://www.fleppc.org/
•Department of Environmental Protection
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/lands/invaspec
What Can You Do?
•Remove Invasive Exotics on Your Property
•Report Invasive Exotic Plants
•Educate Your Neighbors About Invasive
Exotic Plants
Summary
• Wildlife Habitat:
- Food, Cover, Water, and Space
• Not well studied, but monospecific stands of
exotic plants do affect wildlife by replacing
native plant communities.
• Wildlife Info: www.wec.ufl.edu/extension
AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements
Developed byDeveloped by: :
Dr. Mark Hostetler, Department of WildlifeDr. Mark Hostetler, Department of WildlifeEcology and Conservation, IFAS, Ecology and Conservation, IFAS,
University of Florida, 2001.University of Florida, 2001.
AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements
Photo & Sound Credits:Photo & Sound Credits:
Mark Hostetler, Vic Ramey, Ann Murray, and Dan SudiaMark Hostetler, Vic Ramey, Ann Murray, and Dan Sudia
Invasive Plants: Center for Aquatic & Invasive PlantsInvasive Plants: Center for Aquatic & Invasive Plants
USGS Patuxent Bird Center (Bird Photos):USGS Patuxent Bird Center (Bird Photos):http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/infocenter.html http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/infocenter.html
FL Museum of Natural History: http://www.flmnh.ufl.eduFL Museum of Natural History: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu