Invasive Species Management

Safeguarding Native Plants and Animals

The Problem

The National Parks are home to complex native communities of plants and animals that have developed over millions of years. This natural heritage is threatened by the invasion of exotic plants and animals as well as by human-caused disturbances that foster the establishment of exotic species. The introduction of harmful exotic species is an emerging global problem. A recent Cornell University study estimated that invasive plants and animals cost the US Economy $137 billion annually. The Ecological Society of America noted that invasive species contribute to the listing of 35 to 46 percent of all threatened and endangered species. Today, the exotic plants infest some 2.6 million acres in the national parks. Two hundred and thirty-four parks have invasive animals in need of management. Control of exotic species is one of the most significant land management issues facing national parks.

The Response

In order to manage invasive plants on park lands, 17 Exotic Plant Management Teams (EPMT's) have been deployed throughout the country. The teams are a new weapon to combat exotic plants. The teams were modeled after the coordinated rapid response approach used in wild land fire fighting. The first test of the EPMT concept was made in 1996 at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The success of the EPMT derives from its ability to adapt to local conditions and needs, using weed science expertise and partnerships.

Learn More About The Exotic Plant Management Teams:

• Alaska (pdf size 782 kb)
• California (pdf size 2456 kb)
• Chihuanuan Desert/Southern Shortgrass Prairie (pdf size 1403 kb)
• Colorado Plateau (pdf size 1313 kb)
• Florida/Caribbean Partnership (pdf size 736 kb)
• Great Lakes (pdf size 1900 kb)
• Gulf Coast (pdf size 1294 kb)
• Lake Mead (pdf size 1410 kb)
• Mid Atlantic Cooperative (pdf size 908 kb)
• National Capital Region (pdf size 1859 kb)
• North Coast Cascades Network (pdf size 1720kb)
• Northeast (pdf size 1256 kb)
• Northern Great Plains (pdf size 1587 kb)
• Northern Rockies (pdf size 956 kb)
• Pacific Islands (pdf size 1032 kb)
• Southeast (pdf size 472 kb)

The Exotic Plant Management Teams:

EPMT Location Map (Click to view full size and learn more)

Links

• EMPT FY06 Annual Report (pdf size 51 mb)
• EPMT FY05 Annual Report (pdf size 13.6 mb)
• EPMT FY04 Annual Report (pdf size 46 mb)
• EPMT FY03 Annual Report (pdf size 40.4 mb)
• EPMT FY02 Annual Report (pdf size 6.77 mb)
• EPMT Fact Sheet (pdf size 1106580 bytes)
• Invasive Species Website
• Weeds Gone Wild/ Alien Plants in Natural Areas
• Invasive Species Laws
• Aliens in Your Neighborhood" – Weed Learning and Lessons for Students K-12
• Los Angeles County Weed Management Area's Invasive Weeds
• Native Plant Conservation Committee
• Strategic Plan for Managing Invasive Nonnative Plants on NPS Lands
• Handbook for Ranking Exotic Plants for Management and Control
• Park Science - Invasive Species Issue