Invasive Species Management
Invasive Species Hurt Missouri's Native Wildlife
"Exotic," "alien" or "non-native" species describe plants, animals, fungi or other organisms that have been accidentally or purposefully introduced to an area outside of their origin. These invasive organisms displace native wildlife and consume their habitat. Exotic species can come from another continent, another part of a country or even from another watershed. Organisms evolve with other species, such as plant pests or diseases, that moderate their population. When an organism is taken out of its original environment and placed in another, species that help keep it in check may not be a part of this new environment. For example, sericea lespedeza, an Asian plant purposfully planted along roadsides in Missouri to prevent erosion, has no natural predators here and spreads aggressivlely, often displacing native plants. This section helps you learn to identify and control invasive species and avoid introducing them in your area.
