by Bee Harris, PWLTMN Member

As master naturalists, it’s important to understand the term invasive species and what it encompasses. While researching the term, I came across The National Invasive Species Information Center (NISIC) (USDA, 2006 – present) definition:
Invasive species can be plants, animals, and other living organisms (e.g., microbes).
1) non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and,
2) whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.
Non-native species are plants and animals living in areas where they do not naturally exist. “Non-native species” and “invasive species” can not be used interchangeably. Many commonly grown fruits and vegetables are not native to the U.S. For example, tomatoes and hot peppers originated from South America, while lettuce was first grown by the Egyptians. Domestic cows are non-native to North America and were introduced as a food source, and considered to be a beneficial organism in an agricultural setting.
Delving deeper into this subject, I learn that invasive species are a “significant threat to climate preparedness and resilience”, because they can affect our ability to adapt to a changing climate by altering natural and manmade systems. This tells me that if we don’t include invasive species into our climate change preparedness plans, they can slow or stop the goals we set for climate change adaptation. Climate change can increase invasive species numbers, if they are not kept under control or eradicated. This in turn causes our ecosystems to weaken and become fragile.
To illustrate:
- NISIC cites invasive insect species that sicken trees, thereby causing a reduction in “carbon storage and sequestration” in forests. Invasive insects also “destabilize marshy habitats causing havoc in coastal areas.”
- Invasive plant examples include grasses that can increase the frequency of wildfires causing disruptions to native plants and wildlife. Invasive water plants affect water supply, commerce, and flood management.
- Invasive animals have caused the extinction and reduction of native animals and have damaged flood control “infrastructure.”

NISIC lists specific invasive species and the harm they cause. For example, the green iguana (Iguana iguana) causes erosion to canal banks. The water hyacinth obstructs water flow impeding flood control efforts. The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) eradicates ash trees. Invasive disease transmitters such as mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus) cause outbreaks of Zika, dengue, and chikungunya virus. The invasive fire ant affects ecosystems by perpetuating “a cycle of ecological degradation that exacerbates climate vulnerabilities by damaging crop yields, disrupting soil structure, reducing nutrient cycling, and changing root structures in native forests.”
How can we help? Educating the public on the impact climate change has on the expansion of invasive species and how the prevention and management of these species can help native organisms as they (and we) struggle to adapt to climate change.
The following information is from the Texas Invasives website (Texas Invasive Species Institute, SHSU, Huntsville, TX. © Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Council):
Dirty Dozen Terrestrial Invasive Species
These plants have been identified as particularly worrisome terrestrial invasive species in the East Texas Pineywoods ecoregion. Click on their scientific names to go to the Invasive Plant Database and learn more.
Giant reed – Arundo donax
Common water hyacinth – Eichhornia crassipes
Japanese honeysuckle – Lonicera japonica
Japanese climbing fern – Lygodium japonicum
Golden bamboo – Phyllostachys aurea
Kudzu – Pueraria montana var. lobata
Giant salvinia – Salvinia molesta
Chinese tallow tree – Triadica sebifera
Chinese wisteria – Wisteria sinensis
Chinese privet – Ligustrum sinense
Mimosa – Albizia julibrissin
Chinaberry tree – Melia azedarach
Further research:
Texas | National Invasive Species Information Center
Jul 15, 2021 · Includes invasive species by category for insects, diseases, plants, and animals. See also: Invasive Species Status Report by Congressional District
Invasive Plant Resources – Native Plant Society of Texas
Resources regarding invasive plants. You can download these documents and share them with others to spread the word about controlling invasive plants.
Bibliography: Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC). Invasive Species Threaten the Success of Climate Change Adaptation Efforts. isac-climate-change-white-paper-november-2023 PDF (www.doi.gov)