Leadership Team for the Statewide Forest Plan
Minimizing the Threat of Invasive Exotic Species to Wisconsin's Forests
Invasive exotic species present what may be the greatest threat to the long-term health and sustainability of Wisconsin's forests. Human activities such as trading of goods, travel, gardening, and recreation have resulted in the introduction of many non-native plant and animal species to the state. Once established, populations of some exotic insects and diseases quickly increase because natural control agents are absent or ineffective. As a result, exotic pests have changed, and will continue to change, entire ecosystems by displacing native flora and fauna. The invasive species issue challenges traditional ownership-based management systems as the scale of infestations is often broader than even the largest ownerships. Effective control efforts require multi-agency partnerships to co-ordinate and act on emerging infestations across boundaries, and alignment of applied research with the needs of land managers struggling to minimize the threat from invasives.
Key Issues:
- Invasive exotic species may present the greatest threat to the long-term health and sustainability of Wisconsin's forests. Human activities such as commerce, travel, gardening, and recreation have introduced many nonnative plant and animal species to the state.
- Control of invasive species and outbreaks of pests or pathogens is complex and costly.
- Urban forests may become a focal point in a conflict between the traditional horticultural industry and ecological preservationists. Control measures for non-native species are often particularly controversial in developed areas.
Current Plan of Action
Contact:
Fred Clark, President
Clark Forestry
PO Box 88, Baraboo, WI 53913
(608) 356-2801, [email protected]
Clark Forestry
Recent Initiatives
- Best Management Practices Development Proposal for invasive species in Wisconsin forests
- Minutes, Forest Invasives Leadership Team Meeting, January 2006
- Minutes, Recreational Forest Users and Invasive Species Meeting, April 2006
- Forest Invasives Leadership Team Membership, July 2006
- Agenda, Forest Invasives Leadership Team Meeting, August 2006