Invasive Species | Educating with Evidence | SIU

Four species of fish, known as Asian carp or Copi, have become a major concern for states along the Mississippi River. By outcompeting native fish and altering habitats, these fish have become an invasive species. Eliminating the fish may seem like a straightforward solution; however, the reality is often much more complex than it appears. Copi are what can be considered a wicked problem, or a problem that lacks a clear-cut solution. In order to solve this issue, the social, economic, and technological feasibility must be taken into consideration.

The goal of these modules is to introduce you to what Copi are and how citizens, governments, and businesses  are working to solve the problems they create. The content for this unit has been developed from online sources, including historical sources from The Library of Congress.

There have been many invasive species introduced all over the world; Copi is just one example. In order for a species to be considered invasive, it must have the following characteristics: non-native, introduced by humans, and causes damage. Introduction of an invasive species can be intentional or unintentional. For example, Copi were intentionally introduced in the United States as a means to control vegetation in ponds.

In contrast, the Emerald Ash Borer insect arrived unintentionally on ornamental trees imported from northeastern Asia. Note that animals are not the only species that can become invasive, plants can be, too! For example, garlic mustard is an invasive plant that was originally brought to the United States to control erosion. This weedy species competes with native plants for moisture and vital nutrients in the soil and does not have a natural predator to help control its population. In order to better understand invasive species, flip through the flashcards and complete the following activity.