What is an Invasive Species?

An invasive species is one that is not native and whose introduction causes harm, or is likely to cause harm to Michigan's economy, environment, or human health.

Many non-native species in Michigan, including fruits, vegetables, field crops, livestock and domestic animals, are important to our economy and lifestyle. Most non-native species are not harmful and may provide economic benefits. 

Invasive species cause harm when they out-compete native species by reproducing and spreading rapidly in areas where they have no natural predators and change the balance of the ecosystems we rely on.

There are invasive species in all classes of organisms, such as diseases (Dutch elm disease), plants, mammals (feral swine), or fish (Asian carp). We’re focused on invasive plant species.

Invasive species are a subset of non-native species which are species from a different part of the world. Some non-native species are invasive, and some are not.

Invasive species evolved and are “native” to a different part of the world.

An herbaceous plant lacks a woody stem and dies back to the ground each year. These are typically flowers and grasses.

Most herbaceous invasive plants can be pulled by hand.

A woody plant has woody tissue comprising the stem and persist year round. These are typically shrubs and trees.

Woody plants are often removed with a chainsaw, handsaw, brushcutter or loppers

Plants share commonalities that can be exploited for restoration. The techniques used are streamlined into these 2 categories.

Naturally, there are specific idiosyncrasies that need to be learned on a species basis.