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A collaborative study involving Millersville University students, alumni and faculty sheds light on the problem of invasive species across various U.S. regions. This project, led by Dr. Aaron M. Haines, professor of biology at Millersville, included contributions from current and former students as well as researchers from institutions like Stony Brook University, William and Mary, and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.
“Hawaii and U.S. Pacific Island territories face the most significant invasive species challenges in the United States, followed closely by Florida and the West Coast,” says Haines. “While Pennsylvania’s issues with invasive species are not as severe, the state still contends with around 300 invasive species, including 140 invasive plant species, 60 aquatic animals, and various pathogens, insects and birds.” A full list of Pennsylvania’s invasive species can be found here.
The team’s study highlights the urgent need for awareness and action in the face of this growing problem. The data has already informed practical work and been integrated into academic settings to support future research and community education.
“The study is not only advancing our understanding of invasive species but also enriching learning experiences for students,” says Haines. He has incorporated this extensive dataset into several courses, including Conservation Biology, Mammalogy and Wildlife Ecology and Management. “The data from this study allows students to engage directly with real-world ecological issues,” he shared.
Dr. Christopher R. Stieha, associate professor of biology at Millersville and a co-researcher, worked with Millersville biology students to analyze the data, conduct background research, and present findings. “To me, this study is about interactions among groups of organisms, whether that interaction is competition, predation or herbivory,” says Stieha.
“We have learned that a one-size-fits-all attempt at a solution to invasive species will not work,” says Stieha. “But we do have a good understanding of how to handle these situations individually. As a case study, this emphasizes the importance of identifying and understanding processes occurring in your systems.”
The group’s paper, “The Impact of Invasive Alien Species on Threatened and Endangered Species” was recently published. The project was made possible through the contributions of Millersville alumni, including Delaney Costante, currently pursuing her doctorate at Stony Brook University, Dr. Matthias Leu, professor of biology at William and Mary, and Dr. Robert E. Isdell, research scientist at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Undergraduate biology students at Millersville who contributed include Cameala Freed, Lauren Bleyer, Emily Ritter and Gina Salerni.
You can read the entire article at https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1552.
