NRES 441 / 641
Ecology and Management
Of Invasive Plants
Instructors
Bob Nowak (nowak@cabnr.unr.edu)
Office: FA 125
Phone: 784-1732
Office hours: Tues & Thurs 1-2 PM or by appointment
Lora Perkins (lperkins@cabnr.unr.edu)
Office: FA 127
Phone: 784-6294
Office hours: Wednesdays 1-3 PM or by appointment
Class website:
http://www.ag.unr.edu/nowak/Invasives08.htm
Course objectives
•
•
•
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Define invasive species
Document distribution of invasive plants
Hypotheses on why plants become invasive
Ecological, economic, and social impacts of invasive
plants
• Management strategies to control invasive plants
Course outline
1. What are they?
2. How are they located?
3. What makes a plant invasive?
4. Invasive plant programs
Exam #1
5. Impacts
6. Management
Exam #2
7. Case studies
Final Exam
Case study assignment
Extra credit for NRES 441: presentation only
REQUIRED for NRES 641: written paper and
presentation
Case study of invasive plant to include:
• Name and description
• Geographic range and habitats
• Characteristics that make it invasive
• Impacts
• Management strategies
Details on handout
Reference materials
See course syllabus for literature, books, and web sites
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
Nevada State Laws: Nevada Revised Statutes – Chapter 555
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
Nevada State Laws: Nevada Revised Statutes – Chapter 555
• NRS 555.005 Definitions
3. “Noxious weed” means any species of plant which is, or is likely
to be, detrimental or destructive and difficult to control or
eradicate.
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
Nevada State Laws: Nevada Revised Statutes – Chapter 555
• NRS 555.005 Definitions
• NRS 555.010 Director [NV Dept. Ag.] authorized
1. Investigate the prevalence of
2. Take the necessary action to control
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
Nevada State Laws: Nevada Revised Statutes – Chapter 555
• NRS 555.005 Definitions
• NRS 555.010 Director [NV Dept. Ag.] authorization
• NRS 555.031 Weed control analyst: Creation
2. The person appointed must be scientist with master’s degree
• NRS 555.033 Weed control analyst : Duties
1. Research biological methods of controlling noxious weeds
2. Document the effectiveness of methods
3. Develop strategies for managing
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
Nevada State Laws: Nevada Revised Statutes – Chapter 555
• NRS 555.005 Definitions
• NRS 555.010 Director [NV Dept. Ag.] authorization
• NRS 555.031 & 555.033 Weed control analyst
• NRS 555.130 Designation of noxious weeds
The state quarantine officer may declare by regulation the weeds
of the state that are noxious weeds, but a weed must not be
designated as noxious which is already introduced and
established in the State to such an extent as to make its control
or eradication impracticable in the judgment of the State
Quarantine Officer.
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
Nevada State Laws: Nevada Revised Statutes – Chapter 555
• NRS 555.005 Definitions
• NRS 555.010 Director [NV Dept. Ag.] authorization
• NRS 555.031 & 555.033 Weed control analyst
• NRS 555.130 Designation of noxious weeds
• NRS 555.140 General powers and duties of state quarantine officer
1. … enforce the provisions of NRS 555.130 to 555.220
• NRS 555.150 Eradication
• NRS 555.160 Investigate & Notice
• NRS 555.170 Neglect; action by county
• NRS 555.180 Billing; hearing
• NRS 555.190 City to reimburse county
• NRS 555.200 Feds to reimburse State
• NRS 555.202 – 555.217 Weed Control Districts
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
Nevada State Laws: Nevada Revised Statutes – Chapter 555
• NRS 555.005 Definitions
• NRS 555.010 Director [NV Dept. Ag.] authorization
• NRS 555.031 & 555.033 Weed control analyst
• NRS 555.130 Designation of noxious weeds
• NRS 555.140 General powers and duties of state quarantine officer
• NRS 555.150 Eradication
• NRS 555.160 Investigate & Notice
• NRS 555.170 Neglect; action by county
• NRS 555.180 Billing; hearing
• NRS 555.190 City to reimburse county
• NRS 555.200 Feds to reimburse State
• NRS 555.202 – 555.217 Weed Control Districts
Chapter 555 also has sections on nurseries, pesticides, and rodent
control districts
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
Nevada State Laws: Nevada Revised Statutes – Chapter 555
Nevada State Regulations: Nevada Administrative Code – Chapter 555
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
Nevada State Laws: Nevada Revised Statutes – Chapter 555
Nevada State Regulations: Nevada Administrative Code – Chapter 555
• NAC 555.010 Designation of noxious weeds
See handout
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
Nevada State Laws: Nevada Revised Statutes – Chapter 555
Nevada State Regulations: Nevada Administrative Code – Chapter 555
• NAC 555.010 Designation of noxious weeds
• NAC 555.035 – 555.095 Weed control districts
8 districts: Paradise Valley, Ruby Valley, Diamond Valley,
Douglas County, Goose Creek, Lovelock Valley, Walker River,
Lamoille
For some districts, lists plants subject to control (may or may not be
on State list)
Provides powers, regulations, and procedures
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
Federal Laws: Plant Protection Act of 2000
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
Federal Laws: Plant Protection Act of 2000
• Sec 402: Findings
1. Detection, control, … is necessary for the protection of the
agriculture, environment, and economy of the United States
2. Biological control is often desirable
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
Federal Laws: Plant Protection Act of 2000
• Sec 402: Findings
• Sec. 403: Definitions
10. Noxious weed means any plant or plant product that can directly
or indirectly injure or cause damage to crops (including nursery
stock or plant products), livestock, poultry, or other interests of
agriculture, irrigation, navigation, the natural resources of the
United States, the public health, or the environment.
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
Federal Laws: Plant Protection Act of 2000
• Sec 402: Findings
• Sec. 403: Definitions
10. Noxious weed means any plant or plant product that can directly
or indirectly injure or cause damage to crops (including nursery
stock or plant products), livestock, poultry, or other interests of
agriculture, irrigation, navigation, the natural resources of the
United States, the public health, or the environment.
NRS 555.005 Definitions
“Noxious weed” means any species of plant which is, or is likely to
be, detrimental or destructive and difficult to control or eradicate.
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
Federal Laws: Plant Protection Act of 2000
• Sec 402: Findings
• Sec. 403: Definitions
• Subtitle A – Plant Protection (Sec 411 – 418)
o US Department of Agriculture given authority
o Secretary of USDA declares list of noxious weeds
o Makes it illegal to import, export, or move noxious weeds
o Regulations that control movement & interstate commerce
must be based on “sound science” & risk assessment
o Provides for control of grasshoppers & Mormon crickets
APHIS Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
- deals with inspections, import and export regulation
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
Federal Laws: Plant Protection Act of 2000
• Sec 402: Findings
• Sec. 403: Definitions
• Subtitle A – Plant Protection (Sec 411 – 418)
• Subtitle B – Inspection and Enforcement (Sec 421 – 426)
o Specifies authority for inspection, surveillance, quarantine,
seizure, treatment, and destruction of noxious weeds
o Specifies penalties for violations, enforcement by US Attorney
General, and jurisdiction of US District Courts
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
Federal Laws: Plant Protection Act of 2000
• Sec 402: Findings
• Sec. 403: Definitions
• Subtitle A – Plant Protection (Sec 411 – 418)
• Subtitle B – Inspection and Enforcement (Sec 421 – 426)
• Subtitle C – Miscellaneous Provisions
o Allows cooperation between USDA & other agencies (federal,
state, county, city, foreign governments; NGO’s, private)
o Repeals superseded laws
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
Federal Laws: Plant Protection Act of 2000
• Sec 402: Findings
• Sec. 403: Definitions
• Subtitle A – Plant Protection (Sec 411 – 418)
• Subtitle B – Inspection and Enforcement (Sec 421 – 426)
• Subtitle C – Miscellaneous Provisions
• Subtitle D – Authorization of Appropriations
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
Federal Laws: Plant Protection Act of 2000
Executive Order 13112: February 3, 1999 – Invasive Species
“… to prevent the introduction of invasive species and provide for
their control and to minimize the economic, ecological, and
human health impacts that invasive species cause …”
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
Federal Laws: Plant Protection Act of 2000
Executive Order 13112: February 3, 1999 – Invasive Species
• Section 1. Definitions
(a) “Alien species” means, with respect to a particular ecosystem,
any species … that is not native to that ecosystem
(e) “introduction” intentional or unintentional escape, release…of a
species…as a result of human activity
(f) “Invasive species” means an alien species whose introduction
does or is likely to do harm to public health
(g) “Native species” means, with respect to a particular ecosystem,
any species that, other than the result of an introduction,
historically occurred or currently occurs in that ecosystem.
(i) “Stakeholders” means, but is not limited to, State, tribal, and
local government agencies, academic institutions, the scientific
community, nongovernmental entities … trade groups,
commercial interests, and private landowners
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
Federal Laws: Plant Protection Act of 2000
Executive Order 13112: February 3, 1999 – Invasive Species
• Section 1. Definitions
• Section 2. Federal Agency Duties
o If a Federal agency’s action may affect an invasive species,
then the agency must identify those actions
o Prevent introduction, detect, control, monitor, research, and
promote public education (subject to availability of
appropriations)
o Not authorize actions that would promote invasive species
o Cooperate with stakeholders
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
Federal Laws: Plant Protection Act of 2000
Executive Order 13112: February 3, 1999 – Invasive Species
• Section 1. Definitions
• Section 2. Federal Agency Duties
• Section 3. Invasive Species Council
• Section 4. Duties of the Invasive Species Council
• Section 5. Invasive Species Management Plan
o Council includes Secretaries/Administrators of State, Treasury,
Defense, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Transportation, & EPA
o Oversees implementation & cooperation
o Develop guidance to prevent and control invasive species
o Facilitate networking and coordination
o Develop recommendations for international cooperation
o Prepare & issue national Invasive Species Management Plan
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
Federal Laws: Plant Protection Act of 2000
Executive Order 13112: February 3, 1999 – Invasive Species
• Section 1. Definitions
• Section 2. Federal Agency Duties
• Section 3. Invasive Species Council
• Section 4. Duties of the Invasive Species Council
• Section 5. Invasive Species Management Plan
• Section 6. Judicial Review and Administration
(a) This order is intended only to improve the internal management
of the executive branch and is not intended to create any right,
benefit, or trust responsibility, substantive or procedural,
enforceable at law or equity by a party against the United
States, its agencies, its officers, or any other person
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
Federal Laws: Plant Protection Act of 2000
Executive Order 13112: February 3, 1999 – Invasive Species
National Management Plan: Final version, January 18, 2001
(A) Leadership and Coordination
(B) Prevention
(C) Early Detection and Rapid Response
(D) Control and Management
(E) Restoration
(F) International Cooperation
(G)Research
(H) Information Management
(I) Education and Public Awareness
Location: http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/docs/council/mpfinal.pdf
1) Invasive plants – What are they?
a) State and Federal laws and regulations
References for State and Federal Laws & Regulations; follow links from:
State of Nevada, Nevada Revised Statutes (see Chapter 555):
http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/
State of Nevada, Nevada Administrative Code (see NAC-555):
http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/
“Gateway” to state and federal government programs):
http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/
Federal Noxious Weed List:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/weeds/down
loads/weedlist2006.pdf