Invasive Species Prevention Zone

​Moreau Lake State Park

Invasive Species are defined as plants, animals, or other organisms that are non-native to the ecosystem and are likely to cause environmental harm, economic loss, and present possible health threats to humans.  Invasive species can develop into monocultures, usually due to a lack of competition or predation, thus causing adverse effects to our natural ecosystems. Impacts from invasive species range from a decrease in wildlife habitat, reduction of biodiversity, poor aesthetics, and increased pressures on the survival of rare and/or threatened native species.
 
An Invasive Species Prevention Zone (ISPZ) is a formal designation for a natural area that is dominated by native species and is known to support exceptional biodiversity concentrations as stated by the New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP 2006). The goal of an ISPZ is to protect an area against the intrusion of invasive species. The ISPZ will allow land managers to maximize their limited resources by focusing on areas of high ecological value.  In addition, an ISPZ will serve as a point to protect and preserve land holdings in their natural state for future generations.
 
Candidate sites for Invasive Species Prevention Zones 
will be considered based on the following criteria:

• Size: ≥ 500 acres, unless deemed a "biodiversity hotspot"

• Invasive cover:      

                               < 5% cover in core/interior area
​                               < 10-15% cover in buffer around core and along roadways bisecting the core

• Ecological presence of significant habitats, rare, threatened, or endangered species
• Area is currently threatened or is highly susceptible to threats
• Ecological connectivity between protected areas
• The geographic area has ongoing management by potential partner organizations

 
Goals of an Invasive Species Prevention Zone:

• Implement early detection and rapid response protocol for new invasions
• Identify and monitor highly probable invasive species pathways
• Evaluate and continue to monitor and remove preexisting/past infestations that pose a threat
• Use restoration practices favoring native plants that create a native ecological framework to combat threats
• Raise awareness among stakeholders including staff, visitors, citizen scientists, and local residents
• Annually update management plan based on the dynamics of new infestations

• Consider outcomes of the ISPZ management plan and potential impacts of current land uses

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