Invasive Species

Managing invasive species neatly fits within the rubric of a “wicked problem”, with outcomes contingent on where and when a species occurs, socioeconomic factors that vary among stakeholders, and rarely a single answer that satisfies all concerned. Scientists at NPWRC work closely with resource managers to clarify effects invasive species have on native species and ecosystems so that managers may prioritize their efforts and focus on those invasive species posing the greatest threat. Methods of control and their implications for non-target species are also a focus of research at NPWRC. As invasive species increasingly fill niches and interact mutualistically with native species, for example as resources for native pollinators, their [...]