| October 8, 2008 |  |
Invasive Species are Costing Ohio, Report Finds
Federal Action Needed to Prevent New Species Invasions
OHIO, GREAT LAKES REGION FACE GROWING ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT FROM INVASIVE SPECIES, NEW REPORT FINDS
STATE AND FEDERAL POLICIES INADEQUATE, SCIENCE GROUP SAYS
WASHINGTON (Oct. 8, 2008)—From the emerald ash borer to zebra mussels, invasive species are damaging Ohio's environment and economy, according to a new report released today by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). The report says state and federal policies both need to be much stronger in order to prevent new species invasions and reduce the impact of harmful species that have already established themselves in the state.
The 108-page report is based on a two-year research effort involving contributions and peer reviews from 16 scientists, economists and policy experts across the state and region. It is the most comprehensive synthesis to date of materials related to invasive species in Ohio.
Ohio is particularly susceptible to new species invasions because so many international products (on which insects and other pests can "hitchhike") are transported into the state on trucks and ships. The report documents existing data on federal and state spending on invasive species in the state and region, as well as on the damage done to economic activity.
"Ohio is suffering from the federal government's unwillingness to help states prevent new species invasions," said ecologist Phyllis Windle, the report's lead author and director of the UCS invasive species project. "Ohio is trying to protect itself, but species don't recognize state borders. This isn't a problem Ohio can fix by itself."
Ohio is home to at least 1,000 non-native species, the majority of which are not harmful. Dozens of species, however, damage native species and ecosystems, which has consequences for economic activity, property and human health. Windle said there are likely other invasive species in the state that scientists have not yet found.
Among the report's findings are:
• The federal government has spent $27 million in Ohio to control the emerald ash borer, an Asian insect that feeds on ash trees.
• Eliminating invasive species is central to a 10-year effort to restore oak savannahs in northeast Ohio—expected to cost more than $23 million.
• At least eight of the 24 Ohio species the federal government lists as endangered or threatened face pressure from invasives, as well as at least 35 of the 175 state-listed species.
• Asian tiger mosquitoes have brought West Nile virus, dengue fever and encephalitis into the state. In 2002, Ohio reported 341 cases of West Nile virus across the state, while the number of cases has ranged from 12 to 108 in subsequent years.
The report also identifies species that are likely to cause damage in the absence of state and federal action. Among them are 10 invasive plants that are already present in some parts of Ohio and likely to spread, such as Japanese stilt grass and kudzu. Invasive fish species such as the monkey goby and Eurasian minnow, which have not entered the Great Lakes region yet, could also gain a foothold in coming years.
The report estimates the economic impact of species invasions on the Great Lakes region at hundreds of millions of dollars a year. For example, the Eurasian ruffe, a fish that competes with native yellow perch for resources, has already caused an estimated $600 million in damage to Great Lakes recreational fishing according to one study. And the region has spent more than $300 million controlling the sea lamprey, an eel-like parasite that preys on fish.
Invasive species commonly immigrate in many ways, but aquatic invaders, in particular, often travel via ship's ballast water (water that a ship takes in at a port of departure to help stabilize the ship when empty, and is then expelled at a port of arrival when the ship is loaded with goods).
"Aquatic invasive species have reduced the value of Lake Erie's sport and commercial fisheries, increased the costs of water treatment and electric power production, and exposed state residents to toxic substances and harmful algal blooms," said Jeffrey Reutter, director of the Ohio Sea Grant College Program at The Ohio State University. "We should all make it one of our highest priorities to prevent more introductions of aquatic invasive species. This is nowhere more important than on Lake Erie."
Measures to limit new invasions from ship's ballast water are voluntary for most of the country. The shipping industry is promoting a weak federal ballast water law that would override the few strong state laws. That piece of legislation is still pending in Congress; the U.S. House of Representatives passed a version of the measure, but the Senate did not consider the bill before it went into recess.
Sean D. Logan, director of Ohio's Department of Natural Resources, said, "We recommend and would prefer a national solution. But if one is not enacted soon, we will pursue a solution on a state-by-state basis." He called the state's Lake Erie Watershed "Ohio's single most valuable natural resource."
Overall, Ohio's state laws are far from adequate according to UCS. State agencies are doing their best, but without proper legal authority, adequate funding, and improved coordination, their hands are tied. However, Windle noted, even the best state law can only do so much when the federal government controls international trade.
The report also recommends that the United States strengthen its rules for importing plants and animals. The federal government currently bans just a few dozen species, usually after they have already caused problems. By then, it is often too late to prevent a full-scale species invasion. The report recommends that the United States follow the examples of Australia and New Zealand, nations that allow species into the country only after evaluating its potential to become invasive.
"With invasives, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," Windle said.
The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
