An "invasive species" is defined as a species that is:
1) Non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration.
2) Whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.
Invasive species can be plants, animals and other organisms (e.g., microbes). Human actions are the primary means of invasive species introductions.
Invasive species destroy millions of acres each year in the United States, cost our society billions of dollars annually, and adversely impact biological diversity, threatened and endangered species, soil stability, natural fire regimes, nutrient cycling, water quality, and natural area composition.
What We Are Doing
The Oakland County Parks & Recreation Natural Resources Management Program is currently working to identify and map invasive species throughout the park system using Geographic Information Systems. The results of this initial Invasive Inventory Process will allow park staff to prioritize areas for invasive management using a combination of prescribed fire, mechanical removal, and herbicide treatments. View our current priorities.
Resources