Welcome
Virginia Tech
Invasive Species Collaborative

Utilizing an adaptive framework and transdisciplinary science to confront the invasive species crisis

Buffelgrass
Brown Tree Snake
Asian Tiger Mosquito
Feral Swine
Buffelgrass
Invasive Species
Impacts to ecosystems

Invasive species cause dramatic changes to ecosystems, and can contribute solely or alongside other drivers to extinction events.

Populations of native species can be directly affected by invasive species through predation, herbivory, and disease, and indirectly affected through resource competition and habitat alteration. For instance, plant invasions can impact carbon and nitrogen cycles and alter fire regimes.

Buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris)

Brown Tree Snake
Invasive Species
Impacts to the economy

Invasive species significantly impact local, national, and global economies.

The annual cost of biological invasions was estimated to exceed $423 billion globally and $21 billion in the United States. Spongy moth, zebra mussel, feral pig, citrus canker, red imported fire ant, brown tree snake, and leafy spurge are some of the most financially damaging invasive species in the U.S. and its territories.

Brown Tree Snake

Brown Tree Snake (Boiga Irregularis)

Asian Tiger Mosquito
Invasive Species
Impacts to human health

Invasive species negatively impact human health by infecting humans with new diseases, serving as vectors for existing diseases, or causing wounds through bites, stings, allergens, or other toxins.

The spread of novel diseases and pathogens is closely tied to the movement of human activities. People and goods now travel quickly around the world and can carry uninvited species and their distinct microbiomes with them.

Asian Tiger Mosquito

Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus)

Buffelgrass
Invasive Species
Impacts to food and fiber security

Invasive species adversely affect the production of food and fiber crops worldwide.

Vegetative invasive species can reduce crop and timber yields due to fast growth, high seed production and dispersal ability, and a broad tolerance of environmental conditions. Invasive insects and other animals commonly consume desirable food and fiber crops. Feral hogs, for instance, are one of the most damaging species in the U.S. and are estimated to be responsible for $2.5 billion in annual damage to the agricultural sector.

Feral Swine

Feral swine (Sus scrofa)

Join The Team
Collaborative
Join The Team

ISWG was awarded a Destination Area 2.0 Phase II grant enabling us to further our mission.

Invasive Species Collaborative was recently awarded a Destination Area 2.0 Phase II grant which will enable us further our mission to combat invasive species.

This funding will enable ISC to further their mission to combat invasive species, a global threat that jeopardizes health, economic stability, and environmental security.

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Invasive Species Working Group team photo
Virginia Tech

Meet The Team

The Invasive Species Collaborative was awarded a competitive university-wide investment to address the complex global problem of invasive species through transdisciplinary science, engagement, and education. This multi-year investment includes the hiring of several new tenure-track faculty across campus and a range of transdisciplinary activities.

We're Hiring!

Join the Invasive Species Collaborative and tackle the global challenge of understanding invasive species.

Featured news from Virginia Tech

August 30, 2024

Dr. Jacob Barney joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about invasive species, their impact on native species, and the challenges of managing them. Barney also highlighted practical steps people can take to prevent their spread.
Virginia Tech researcher Shannon Bell at Hardings Ginseng Farm, located in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, where ginseng is cultivated and grown. Photo courtesy of Shannon Bell.

August 27, 2024

Beneath the Central Appalachian Forest canopy lies a rich, biodiverse world of native plants helping to fill North America's medicinal herb cabinet.
Carol Davis (at far left) has been leading service projects once a month since May for volunteers, many of whom are from the NRV Master Naturalists, to aid in restoring the ecology of the Town of Blacksburg's Heritage Park. Photo by Felicia Spencer for Virginia Tech.

August 23, 2024

The Restoration Ecology Working Group, along with the Invasive Species Collaborative and the Virginia Tech StREAM Lab, provided key guidance when the town applied for a grant from the Virginia Environmental Endowment, said Carol Davis, sustainability manager for the Town of Blacksburg.

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