Photo Credit: https://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2016-06-30/the-best-beaches-in-north-carolina
Non-natives vs. Invasives, What's the difference?
Non-native SpeciesA non-native native species can be defined as a species that is introduced either intentionally or inadvertently to an area from which that species does not originate (George et al., 2008).
Examples of non-natives found in NC
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Invasive SpeciesAn invasive species can be defined as a a non-native species that causes some degree of either environmental, economic, or human harm (George et al., 2008).
Examples of invasive species found in NC
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Do Non-natives Have any Conservation Value?
Certain non-native species have been shown to have conservation benefits like providing habitat, serving as a food source, being a catalyst for the restoration of native species, becoming a substitute for extinct species, and providing certain ecosystem services (Schlaepfer et al., 2011).
This website examines how non-native species are being used in conservation practices throughout North Carolina and the benefit and drawbacks posed by each non-native species. We then analyzed the common themes present between the case studies. We also rate the "invasiveness" of these non-native species by comparing these species with 5 characteristics common in invasive species. For this review we examined the conservation uses of non-natives in the three main regions of North Carolina; Coastal, Piedmont, and Mountains.
This website examines how non-native species are being used in conservation practices throughout North Carolina and the benefit and drawbacks posed by each non-native species. We then analyzed the common themes present between the case studies. We also rate the "invasiveness" of these non-native species by comparing these species with 5 characteristics common in invasive species. For this review we examined the conservation uses of non-natives in the three main regions of North Carolina; Coastal, Piedmont, and Mountains.
Species Examined in Each Region
Coastal Region
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Piedmont Region
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Mountain Region
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Disclaimer- We are not advocating or encouraging individuals to introduce non-native species into their local environment. We are merely examining how these species have benefited or hindered conservation practices.
Work Cited
Allen, J. (2019). Feral Swine North Carolina Wildlife Profiles. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission . https://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/Learning/documents/Profiles/Mammals/Feral-Swine-Wildlife-Profile.pdf
George, B. K., Zimmerman, K., Schardt, J. D., Stone, J. D., Lukens, R. R., Reichard, S., Randall, J., Cangelosi, A. A., Cooper, D., & Thompson, J. P. (2008). Invasive Species Defined in a Policy Context: Recommendations from the Federal Invasive Species Advisory Committee. Invasive Plant Science and Management, 1(4), 414–421. https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/invasive_species_defined_in_a_policy_context.pdf
Moore, A. (2020, February 25). Invasive Species: How Exotic Plants, Animals and Insects Impact North Carolina. College of Natural Resources News. https://cnr.ncsu.edu/news/2020/02/invasive-species-how-exotic-plants-animals-and-insects-impact-north-carolina/
North Carolina Travel. (2015, June 30). The Invasion of Kudzu in North Carolina. North Carolina Travel. http://www.northcarolinatravel.org/the-invasion-of-kudzu/
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. (2010). North Carolina Sport Fish Profiles. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. https://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/Fishing/documents/Brown_Trout_profile.pdf
Schlaepfer, M. A., Sax, D. F., & Olden, J. D. (2011). The Potential Conservation Value of Non-Native Species. Conservation Biology, 25(3), 428–437.
George, B. K., Zimmerman, K., Schardt, J. D., Stone, J. D., Lukens, R. R., Reichard, S., Randall, J., Cangelosi, A. A., Cooper, D., & Thompson, J. P. (2008). Invasive Species Defined in a Policy Context: Recommendations from the Federal Invasive Species Advisory Committee. Invasive Plant Science and Management, 1(4), 414–421. https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/invasive_species_defined_in_a_policy_context.pdf
Moore, A. (2020, February 25). Invasive Species: How Exotic Plants, Animals and Insects Impact North Carolina. College of Natural Resources News. https://cnr.ncsu.edu/news/2020/02/invasive-species-how-exotic-plants-animals-and-insects-impact-north-carolina/
North Carolina Travel. (2015, June 30). The Invasion of Kudzu in North Carolina. North Carolina Travel. http://www.northcarolinatravel.org/the-invasion-of-kudzu/
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. (2010). North Carolina Sport Fish Profiles. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. https://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/Fishing/documents/Brown_Trout_profile.pdf
Schlaepfer, M. A., Sax, D. F., & Olden, J. D. (2011). The Potential Conservation Value of Non-Native Species. Conservation Biology, 25(3), 428–437.