Native Species

A native species is one that occurs in a particular environment without human intervention. Species native to North America are generally recognized as those occurring on the continent prior to European settlement. Non-native (alien, exotic) species are introduced by people, from other continents, ecosystems, or habitats to places where they do not occur naturally.

Non-native invasive plant species are alien species likely to cause economic or environmental harm with a serious and measurable ecological impact due to their introduction.

Invasives often thrive quickly dominating new environments as there are no natural controls, e.g., predation, to keep them in check ( Many invasives have one or more of the following characteristics: 1) adaptation to disturbance; 2) broad tolerance for environmental conditions and extremes of light, soil acidity, and moisture; 3) production of large numbers of seeds; 4) high seed germination success; and 5) the ability to spread by ground runners or rhizomes.

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Identify Invasive Plant Species

