Invasive Species

 Exotic species are defined as species existing in habitats outside of their native range. Invasive species are exotics that reproduce and establish in naturalized populations that negatively impact native species, habitats or ecological relationships. Invasive species are introduced unintentionally (i.e. accidental release) or intentionally (i.e. for a management purpose) and can have ecological, economic, and social repercussions.

The introduction by humans of non-native plants and animals into Galveston Bay and its watershed has been occurring since pre-history. Native Americans brought useful plants to their campsites. Early settlers brought domestic plants and animals that escaped or were released from culture, e.g. feral pigs. Over time agriculture experimented with exotic species that became feral, e.g. Bahia grass and Johnson grass. Later the horticulture industry sold ornamental plants that escaped from cultivation, e.g. Chinese privet and Chinese tallow. More recently an aquarium trade has distributed animals that have been released from captivity into the tributaries of the bay, e.g. armored catfish and channeled apple snail. Some species have been inadvertently distributed by international shipping, e.g. fire ants.

For more information on invasive species in the Lower Galveston Bay Watershed, visit:

Visit these sites for more information about invasive species:

• Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission
• Invasivespecies.gov
• Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) global Invasive Species Database
• National Agricultural Pest Information System (NAPIS)
• NBII Central Southwest Gulf Coast Information Node (CSWGCIN)
• NBII Invasive Species Node
• Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC)
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Exotic Species Regulations
• USDA Plants Database Exotic Species Regulations
• USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) Fact Sheet Collection/Database