We currently label introduced species “IN”, which is ambiguous to me as to whether it means “introduced” or “invasive”. I know the distinction is really hard but feels important. Is there any plausible path to distinguishing invasive from introduced species?
stephen
Invasive species are also introduced. Not all introduced species are invasive. Not that this helps with the abbreviation issue.
I’d suggest taking a look at this thread too as to whether the distinction is actually that improtant: https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/definitional-discussion-native-non-native-related-to-invasive-plant-species/43914
there is no standard mechanism to capture invasive in the system because it is not well-defined. IN in iNaturalist will only ever mean introduced. see https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/list-taxa-as-invasive/13040/7.
Invasive species are introduced species that spread to the point of causing ecological harm to native species
This is crazy. In the foraging thread we have been discussing about invasives for the whole weekend, almost.
I would say invasives are proliferating in an excessive way and are harming the ecosystem. Introduced is simply the term for any species that has been introduced by humans to a new territory. If this species goes wild, it becomes naturalized.
This phrasing shows the difficulty of defining “invasive”. Here is central Texas, Ashe Juniper (a.k.a. “cedar”) is frequently considered “invasive”, but it is very definitely a native tree. It is “invasive” only in the sense that past and present mismanagement of grasslands and rangeland has allowed this native tree to spread away from the rugged canyonlands where it is native and into vast areas where it would not otherwise naturally occur. Native? Yes. Invasive? Yep. Introduced? Not in the literal sense of that word in botanical terms.
Here in Northern California, Douglas Fir (native) frequently spreads over other native habitats where fire has been suppressed for decades. I found it interesting that ecologists and land managers call this “intrusion.” The Doug Firs aren’t invading, just intruding. I’ve never heard this terminology applied to another species, as far as I can remember.
Introduced, invasive, intrusive. In many cases IN just means inconclusive.
I am content that this isn’t currently possible, and that it will always be fraught.
I do think it might be a reasonable stretch goal. “Endangered” status is similarly fraught, and there is at least some defined process for categorizing them, however imperfect.
There are official ‘invasive’ species on a state-basis at least, such as in Ohio the state Department of Agriculture is the local authority on it, and uses that language in law (for their short list of the worst plants that should be much longer). I am curious why those species don’t get some designation beyond introduced within the applicable area, as they do have special legal status.
https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-901:5-30-01
https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/plant-health/invasive-pests/invasive-and-noxious-plants/invasive-plants
One approach which may be helpful is to use regional projects to capture those taxa which are considered invasive in a given area. One could then use it as a search filter or the icon on your own observations to get some information about this.
For example, in South Africa invasive species are scheduled under the NEMBA legislation and so this project catches those.
(I see this kind of solution is mentioned in the other threads)
and the partner project
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/alien-early-detection-rapid-response-s-afr
Observe an invasive alien, and it is cleared when you walk that trail again.