| Ask the Aquarium: Invasive
and Exotic Species Enter State in Different Ways
(Note: Don't ask Ms. White anything about "invasive species" if you're searching for the truth! This gal has her spiel down pat. Welcome, Language Deception. As though there is no such thing as a "noxious" species that's "native" ... this mindset blames all the "issues" on Christopher Columbus' booted foot touching our shores back in October of 1492.)
December 28, 2005
By Sherry White sherry.white@ncmail.net or 252-247-4003 Ext. 145
Special to The Pilot The Pilot P.O. Box 58 Southern Pines, North Carolina 28388 910-692-7271 or 910-693-2470 Fax: 910-692-9382 To submit a Letter to the Editor: sbouser@thepilot.com (300-word limit)
Q: Is there a difference between exotic and invasive species? A: Yes. Although many people use the words interchangeably, there is a difference. All invasive species are exotic, but not all exotic species are invasive. That can be kind of confusing. A species is usually considered invasive if it causes damage to an established ecosystem. Some invasive species overrun areas, replacing one or several native species. An exotic species is any organism not native to an area, but not necessarily found in the wild. It may have been brought intentionally, or introduced accidentally, and can be found in homes, private gardens, or public facilities, such as zoos and aquariums. Occasionally, exotic species escape and establish themselves without causing damage to the natural environment Both plants and animals can be exotic and/or invasive. An example of an exotic animal species in North Carolina is the electric eel on exhibit at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. Electric eels are native to South America. The one on display at the Aquarium was imported specifically for the exhibit. Another invasive animal species is nutria (Myocastor coypus), a large, rat-like mammal introduced from South America for the fur industry in the 1930s. Nutria escaped from fur ranches in Louisiana and spread to many other states. Semi-aquatic, they have adapted well to life in coastal marshes. Because of their feeding habits, they have caused extensive damage to vegetation and dune ecosystems. An exotic plant that has become invasive after being introduced into North Carolina’s aquatic habitats is the giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta). Originally from Brazil, it was first introduced in 2000 as an escapee from private water gardens. Giant salvinia is considered highly invasive, forming large, floating mats and blocking sunlight and oxygen from the water. This can cause die-off of native species and foul water intake pipes. Though not all exotic species are invasive, it’s recommended that importation of exotic species be minimized to prevent unwanted effects on the local ecosystem. Before adding a plant or animal to your home or garden, be sure to do your research and find out if it is native to your area. For more information about the Aquariums, visit http://www.ncaquariums.com or call 800-832-3474 (FISH).
Sherry White works for the North Carolina Aquariums.
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