How Invasive Species Spread

Spread of Invasive Species

The ideal way to address invasive species is to keep them from establishing in a new area in the first place. To do that, national park managers need to know how invasive species arrive in a new ecosystem, or the "pathway" through which the species came. Unfortunately, any person, pet, vehicle or piece of wood coming in and out of a park is a potential pathway for invading species. Each park faces unique challenges in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive species.

Some examples of common pathways include:

• Transportation of people or goods

• Plant and pet trades

• Ecosystem disturbances