Human activities, either intentionally or accidentally, can introduce invasive species into ecosystems in which the species are not natural components. The Galveston Bay system is no exception. Invasive species have become naturalized in and around the Estuary and are reproducing without human support. Once established, these non-native species out-compete or prey upon native species, leading to the destruction of important habitats, the reduction of biodiversity, and a resultant loss of ecological balance within the system.
Although no estimate is available for Texas or the Galveston Bay region, more than $130 billion is lost annually in the United States to damage caused by invasive species.1 $130 billion is considered to be a conservative estimate given that it does not include losses to ecosystem services, biodiversity, or aesthetic values.
This project is funded by the Galveston Bay Estuary Program (GBEP), a program of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The GBEP is responsible for implementation of the Galveston Bay Plan (The Plan), the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for the Galveston Bay estuary and associated watershed. During the five-year Plan review process, invasive species were identified as the second highest threat to species population protection in the Galveston Bay Estuary.2
Objectives of the Galveston Bay Invasive Species Assessment project:
- Accumulate and assess existing information on the identity, characteristics, and impacts of exotic species invading ecosystems of the lower Galveston Bay watershed.
- Identify future threats posed by species currently invading similar ecosystems along the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Coast.
- Identify and report on the efficacy of control methods and preventative measures.
For more information about the project contact Lisa Gonzalez, Research Scientist, HARC.
1Pimentel, D., L. Lach, R. Zuniga, and D. Morrison. 1999. Environmental and Economic Costs Associated with Non-Indigenous Species in the United States. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
2[GBEP] Galveston Bay Estuary Program. 2001. Plan Review (1996-2000). Galveston Bay Estuary Program. Webster, Texas.
