November 2022 — Invasive Species
Download the wallpaper: 1280 px | 1920 px
Invasive species—whether plants, fish, mollusks, crustaceans or others—threaten local wildlife through outcompeting them for resources, outright predation, or altering habitats.
Some invasive species also create economic harm or impact human health. An organism’s status as invasive, native or simply introduced (not native but not invasive either) is tied more to the complex web of relationships in a given place than to the individual animal itself. What is an invasive challenge in some places can be struggling in their native range; for instance, alewives are a problematic invasive in the Great Lakes, but they are a species of conservation concern in Delaware, part of their native North Atlantic coastal territory.
Invasive species enter habitats in a variety of ways, from being intentionally introduced before their potential impact is understood to accidental introduction through discarded bait or pets, ballast water, or even transport on the hulls of boats
In Delaware and the Mid-Atlantic, a variety of aquatic invasive species affect both freshwater and saltwater habitats, and terrestrial ecosystems face their own invasive challenges. Learn more about some of the invasive species in our area and what you can do to help below.
To learn more about invasive species in Delaware, check out DESG’s invasive species portal, or watch this month’s episode of SeaTalk.
Notable Dates in November
November 8 — Celebrate science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics on National STEM/STEAM Day by encouraging and working to inspire children to pursue an interest in S.T.E.A.M subjects. Discover some ways to celebrate here
November 15 — DESG is hosting marine conservation biologist Dr. David Shiffman at University of Delaware’s Lewes Campus for a public lecture on themes from his book Why Sharks Matter, followed by a book signing. Learn more and register here
November 15 — America Recycles Day, a program of Keep America Beautiful, is a nationally recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States. Learn how to get involved here
November 17 — The 2022 John R. Mather Visiting Scholar Lecture, "The Secret Lives of Glaciers," will be given by Dr. M Jackson, a geographer, glaciologist, and science communicator exploring the intersections of societal transformation, glaciology, and climate change. Click here to learn more and register