Examples of invasive species in Arizona
By Cronkite News Service
Here are examples of invasive species in Arizona:
BUFFELGRASS
Introduced as livestock forage, buffelgrass is typically found in open areas and along trails and washes in the desert. The plant grows quickly and densely, crowding out native species and helping to spread wildfires. It also fiercely competes for water while its roots and ground shading prevent the germination of native plant seeds. Native to Africa.
QUAGGA MUSSEL
This thumbnail-size invader has caused millions of dollars worth of damage in the Great Lakes region. Found recently in Lake Mead, Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu, it breeds rapidly and can clog water intakes and damage piers and boats. It also can wreck ecosystems. Native to Eastern Europe.
CRAYFISH
Brought to Arizona as fishing bait and for vegetation control, its tremendous appetite, which includes a taste for fish, frogs, reptiles and snails, is damaging water ecosystems. There are 500 species worldwide, none native to Arizona.
RED BROME
This aggressive grass forms a thick carpet and is highly flammable when it dries out in the summer. Native to Europe and Eurasia.
AMERICAN BULLFROG
With a huge appetite and tastes that include reptiles, fish, other amphibians and even small birds and mammals, bullfrogs have few predators and can displace native species. Native to North America east of the Rockies.
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