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

[image] schizoform: Is there any plausible path to distinguishing invasive from introduced species? 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-…

Invasive species are also introduced. Not all introduced species are invasive. Not that this helps with the abbreviation issue.

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. [image] schizoform: Is there any plausible path to distinguishing invasive from introduced species? I would say invasives are proliferating in an excessive way and are harming the eco…

[image] sethshively: Invasive species are introduced species that spread… 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 th…

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…

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 design…

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 sche…

Introduced vs invasive

General

kevinfaccenda May 7, 2025, 2:34am 3

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

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Introduced vs invasive

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