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Invasive species are plants or animals that have gone through all five stages of invasion. Stage 1 is transport of the potential invasive from its native range. Stage 2 is the introduction of the species from its native range to a potentially suitable, novel environment. Following this, the nonnative species will either fail or, if it reaches Stage 3 of invasion, it will establish a self-sustaining population. Stage 4 of invasion occurs when the nonnative species ultimately spreads. Finally, an introduced species reaches Stage 5 when the nonnative species has a negative effect on human health, economics, and/or the environment. If a species undergoes all stages of invasion, it is considered an invasive species. To read more about the stages of invasion consider reading this publication.
Top Invasive Plant Species in the Riverlands Region
(click on the pictures for more information)
In 2020, we asked natural resource professionals in the Riverlands region to complete a survey and rank the top invasive plants in the region. The top threats were classified into forests, grasslands, or aquatic systems. Learn more about these invasive plants below.
Forests
Forests
In western Kentucky and northwestern Tennessee, our forests are largely dominated by oaks (Quercus spp.) and hickories (Carya spp.). Bottomland hardwood forests (these are also a wetland type), which are dominated by water tolerant tree species, are prevalent because of the rivers that define our region. These forests have unique understory plants that are often outcompeted by invasive plants.
Grasslands
Grasslands
Western Kentucky and Northwestern Tennessee would have had substantial areas of prairies and savannas. At this point, much of these have been converted to agriculture. In areas where prairie/savanna remnants are present or where restoration is occurring, invasive plants are of conservation concern and a top management priority.
Aquatic Systems
Aquatic Systems
We are fortunate to have a variety of aquatic systems in our region. These include the rivers that define our region, lakes, and wetlands. Bottomland hardwood wetlands would have been particularly common in the Riverlands region. These aquatic systems host a diversity of plants and animals, making them particularly important to our natural resources in this region.
Invasive Animal Species in the Riverlands Region
There are some invasive animals in our region that are considered naturalized (e.g., House Sparrows and European Starlings), meaning there is no way for us to eradicate these species and, at this point, we consider control of the species on a case-by-case basis. Below, we focus on some of the most destructive invasive animals in the region and species we may not have yet but are likely to have in the near future. We will continue to add to this list over time to highlight other invasive animals within our region.
Invasive Carp
Invasive Carp
Photo credit: ICRCC CC BY-2.0
There are five species of invasive carp found in the Riverlands region. Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) pose a safety concern for boaters because they will often jump into boats when startled and all of the carp species can negatively influence aquatic food webs. You can read more about invasive carp in the region on the KDFWR and TWRA websites.
Red-imported Fire Ants
Red-imported Fire Ants
Photo credit: J. Gallagher CC BY-2.0
Red-imported fire ants (RIFA: Solenopsis invicta and richteri) pose threats to human health, economics, and the environment. Most TN counties in the Riverlands region are a part of the RIFA quarantine area. RIFA were first found in western Kentucky in 2000 on Land Between the Lakes and sporadically in other locations. Read more about RIFAs on the USDA, UK, and UT websites.
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB: Agrilus planipennis) has only been detected in a few counties within the Riverlands region (see current map). You can read more about the EAB on the USDA website. You can help reduce the spread of EABs by not moving firewood.
Spotted Lanternfly
Spotted Lanternfly
Photo credit: J. Gallagher CC BY-2.0
Wild Pigs
Wild Pigs
Photo credit: Pedrik CC BY-2.0
Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are a large ecological threat where they have been introduced. Thankfully, wild pigs are only found in some counties within the Riverlands Region (click here to see updated USDA range maps). You can read more about wild pig issues in our region on the LBL, KDFWR, and TWRA websites.
Invasive Rats & Mice
Invasive Rats & Mice
Photo credit: V. Ismavel CC BY-NC 2.0
We have several invasive species of rats (Black rats [Rattus rattus] & brown rats [Rattus norvegicus]) and mice (House mice [Mus musculus]) in the Riverlands region. Aside from the environmental issues they cause, the global costs of invasive Rattus spp. was estimated at $327.8 million dollars (Diagne et al. 2023). Care should be used when trying to control these species, particularly when considering the use of anticoagulant rodenticides. Rodenticides can have lethal and non-lethal effects on non-target birds of prey and other predators that consume rats and mice (see Nakayama et al. 2019).
Consider visiting the following websites to obtain more information on invasive species.
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