ENST689U Special Topics; Invasive Species: Invasive plants and animals reduce property values and agricultural productivity. They harm native animal and plant populations and affect the overall health of ecosystems. They also impact public utility operations and affect tourism and outdoor recreation. All told, invasive species can cost the United States as much as $120 billion EACH YEAR. This special topics seminar covers the wide variety of programs USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service uses to address harmful invasive species. Issues may include nutria, mute swans, feral swine, brown tree snakes, and insects that are tree and forest pests.
