Invasion of the exotics: the siege of western Washington.
Authors: | Sally Duncan |
Year: | 2001 |
Type: | Science Findings |
Station: | Pacific Northwest Research Station |
Source: | Science Findings. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. October (38): 1-5 |
Abstract
Settlement of the Pacific Northwest by immigrants from the Eastern United States changed the composition of lowland landscapes from dominance by forests and prairie to dominance by cities, suburbs, agriculture, and transportation infrastructure. Historical disturbance regimes imposed by nature and by indigenous people were disrupted. In the uplands, timber management activities replaced natural disturbance regimes, often with simplifying effects on ecosystems. People intentionally and unintentionally imported exotic species of plants and animals.Simplification of ecosystems and introduction of new species are contributing to globalization of world flora, endangering indigenous species, and reducing ecosystem function. Some permanent changes have been wrought; reversal of other changes and maintaining indigenous flora and fauna will require purposeful management.