Combating Invasive

Species in Swamps

Alexis Smoak
Table of Contents

Abstract .……………………………………………………….……………….. 3

What is an Invasive Species …….……………………………….………….. 4

Types of Invasive Species……… ……………….…………….…………….. 4

How Invasive Species Spread .………...……………………..…………….. 4

Effects on the Environment …………………………………………………. 5

Impact on Wildlife …………………………………………………….. 5

Impact on Plant Life ………………………………………….……….. 5

Combat the Population ………………………………………………………. 6

Potential Solution ……………………………………………………... 6

EPA Aid ……………………………………………………………….… 6

Conclusion …………………………………………………………………..…. 7

References …………………………………………………………..………..... 8

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Abstract
Invasive species are affecting our ecosystems every day and are consistently
increasing every year. The introduction of these species is the results of human
activities and the disposal of non-native pets. After the first introductory period of
the species welcoming into the wetlands/swamp areas, the region pays the price
through an increased list of endangered native species. The prevention period has
ended for many of the ecosystems within the region of the swamp/wetlands and has
led to the public acknowledgement.

The level of detection to eradication of an invasive species is a quick transition. The

invasive species outlined in the document within the ecosystem have reached the
level of detection to the beginning of eradication. In this document, potential
solutions to the invasive population are introduced after discussing how the species
have spread. The EPA joint effort with the public would bring more awareness to
the issues to the local area along with local solutions of how residents can help.

The infection of the number of invasive species throughout the wetland areas has
greatly increased; therefore, the need for human intervention has become a
necessity. Human activities are one of the main reasons for the introduction of these
species, so humans must solve the issue by returning to the problem. The strict
investigations of incoming trade loads and the increasement of fines for known
species releasers would aid in decreasing the number of invasive species in the area.
The best way to combat the problem is to solve the issue that introduces the
problem.

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What is an Invasive Species?
An invasive species is a plant, animal, or pathogen that is non-native to the
ecosystem. The introduction of these species can cause or is likely to cause damage
to the ecosystem it has inhabited. There is a major problem associated with the
introduction of the invasive species because the habitats are being attacked.
Humans have the capability to aid in the fight against the spread of the species, but
it is more important to stop the introduction of them first. Invasive species are
known as major contributors to wetland and coastal habitat loss. They also threaten
native and endangered species that rely exclusively on the wetlands/swamps for
survival (Cwppra). Biodiversity, ecosystem services, recreation water resources,
agricultural and forest production, cultural resources, economies and property
values, public safety, and infrastructure can be threatened by the presence of
invasive species (“Invasive Species”). However, a species does not have to be from
another country to be considered invasive. A fish fighting another species of fish in
a lake can be considered invasive if it is affecting the population and food supply.

Types of Invasive Species

Examples of invasive species presented in wetlands/swamps include:

Animals Plants

Asian Carp Chinese Tallow

Wild Boar Common Reed
Island Apple Snails Purple Loosestrife

(Figure 2)
How Invasive Species Spread
Invasive species spread more through human activities, often
unintentionally. Good travels and trades often lead to carrying uninvited
species along. Species will board shipments from one country and be
released into another. Plants will spread to new areas due to the change
in higher average temperatures and rain and snow patterns. Small insects
may also hide within pallets, crates and containers that will be released to
the importing country. Aquatic organisms can be carried to other country
regions through the ship’s ballast water or a smaller boat’s propellors.

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 Species can also be intentionally or accidently invited into an ecosystem
by humans releasing pets. This is a current issue regarding Burmese
pythons in the Everglades (National Wildlife).

Effects on the Environment

Biodiversity, food supply and resources, diseases, and food web disruptions are
examples of effects that may occur due to the invitation of an invasive species to the
ecosystem.

Impact on Wildlife
Direct threats to the local wildlife in the region can include preying on the
native species which can lead to the prevention of reproduction of the
native species. Preying would also lead to killing the native species’ young
that would eventually result in the native species becoming endangered
for the area. Competing with the native species for food would interrupt
the food web in which the native species would not be able to feed as it
was outcompeted. The invasive species would also introduce foreign
diseases by causing or carrying the disease into the area leading to the
depletion of the native population.

Indirect threats would be providing little to no value to the food web. The
alteration of the abundance of diversity of species would greatly affect the
habitat of the native wildlife.

Impact on Plant Life

A diverse ecosystem can quickly be replaced by an aggressive new plant
species. An example would be Kudzu, an aggressive plant species that can
spread across an entire region. It can create a monoculture of just Kudzu
by covering the diverse plant population. Soil chemistry is also a large
consideration when it comes to the plant impact. A change in the soil
chemistry can quickly kill off many plant populations that have adapted
to the previous soil. The roots can create a complex system that will block
the growth of the native/other plants which leads to the monoculture
within the habitat (“Wetland Management”).

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Combat the Population
Although current populations of the invasive species (as referenced in figure 2) have
become large enough to be difficult to remove in few years’ time, there are possible
ways of slowing it.

Potential Solutions
Human activities are the greatest reason that invasive species exist in
these swamps/wetlands; therefore, humans must resolve the issue
through preventative measures. Deep cleaning of the shipments and ships
themselves would reduce the likelihood of boarding any insects, aquatic
life, animals, and plants. If humans can reduce the chance of these species
boarding ships, the species would have less of a chance of making it on
land of the importing country. Proper disposal of invasive pets would
reduce the size of the population. If a pet is deemed invasive, the pet
would be sent to a proper rescue center for wildlife. If an invasive pet is
deemed released by the owner unproperly, a fine is in order. Approved
hunting would also be enforced to diminish the population. Tags would be
given to hunters to accurately count for the specific population, whether it
be boars or carp. The proper removal or plants by approved chemicals
would also commence every month.

EPA Aid
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) would lead the effort of
communicating the invasive species in the region and providing
information on how to properly remove it. The agency would create
hunting groups for designated species, such as boar hunters and carp
fishermen. There would also be a designated group for plant chemical
sprayers. The plant removal team would be placed in separate areas to
saturate the soil of highly concentrated invasive areas. Fines would also
be incorporated for the improper introduction of invasive species by
humans, if discovered. With the aid of the EPA, invasive species within
the wetland/swamp region would decrease as public knowledge increases
(“Threats to Wetlands”).

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Conclusion
With the introduction of invasive species being the result of unintentional,
intentional, and accidental human activities, humans must be the ones to combat
the problem. The invasive species introduced to the swamps/wetlands have resulted
in the decreased populations of native species, an interrupted food web, and
changing soil chemistry. If humans do not focus on the introductory reasons of the
invasive species, the population will continue to rise and would lead to a completely
changed environment with endangered native life. The endangered list would
continuously add species while a monocultured environment would pursue. Now is
the time to act while the invasive population is still controllable for the few years to
come.

(Figure 3. Img. SOLitude)

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References

“Invasive Species.” US Forest Service,

https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/invasive-species.

“Invasive Species.” National Wildlife Federation,

https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-
Guide/Threats-to-Wildlife/Invasive-Species.

“Threats to Wetlands.” Wetlands - Threats, Maine Department of

Environmental Protection,
https://www.maine.gov/dep/water/wetlands/threats.htm.

“Wetland Management: Controlling Phragmites & Purple Loosestrife.”

SOLitude Lake Management: Full-Service Lake And Pond
Management, 22 July 2021,
https://www.solitudelakemanagement.com/blog/wetland-invasive-
species-management-controlling-phragmites-purple-loosestrife/.

Adkalmanack. “Dispelling the Myths about Invasive Species -.” The

Adirondack Almanack, 19 Apr. 2021,
https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2011/07/dispelling-the-
myths-about-invasive-species.html.

Cwppra. “Invasive Species of Wetlands.” CWPPRA, 3 Aug. 2016,

https://cwppra.wordpress.com/2016/08/03/invasive-species-of-
wetlands/.