Invasive species

Categories · Threats

Conifers which become stressed following habitat disturbance are often out-competed by better adapted native plant species. For example, in Bosnia and Herzegovina regeneration in some populations of Picea omorika is being supressed by native Fagus sylvatica because of being better adapted to colonising disturbed forest areas. In Western USA fire-supression has reduced the ability of Cupressus bakeri (which is fire-dependent) to regenerate, hence it is gradually being replaced by Abies magnifica and A.

concolor. Native mistletoes species of the genera Arceuthobium, Phoradendron and Psittacanthus can have a deterimental affect on conifers in North America and Mexico. These shrubby, aerial parasites, which are bird dispersed or have explosive fruits, cause deformation of the infected stems, growth loss, increased susceptibility to other disease agents or insects, and reduced longevity. Species of Abies, Cupressus and Juniperus are particularly susceptable to infestation especially if stressed by habitat disturbance.

There are 54 taxa in the category – Invasive species:

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Picea breweriana Vulnerable

Restricted to the Klamath Ranges of northwestern California and southwestern Oregon where the main threat is from fire and climate change.… Read full species entry >

Pinus albicaulis Endangered

Native to Western USA and Canada where historically large areas of forests were lost to the mining industry; today it is threatened by wildfire, White Pine Blister Rust and Mountain Pine Beetle… Read full species entry >

Pinus amamiana Endangered

Endemic to Japan where it was formerly exploited for its timber but more recently the population has been much reduced by pine wood nematodes accidentally introduced from the U.S.A.… Read full species entry >

Pinus brutia var eldarica

This variety is only known from one locality in the wild although it is naturalised and/ or introduced in Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Currently it is listed as Near Threatened although VU D2 may be more apropriate.… Read full species entry >

Pinus caribaea var. bahamensis Vulnerable

Distributed in the Caribbean throughout the Bahamas and on Turks and Caicos Island; the current main threat is damage from an introduced exotic scale insect but dry-season fires or non-seasonal fires and development are also having negative effects… Read full species entry >

Pinus caribaea var. caribaea Endangered

Endemic to Cuba where logging and conversion of the habitat to pasture-land are the main threats… Read full species entry >

Pinus elliottii var. densa Near Threatened

The southern Florida Slash Pine is restrcited to southern Florida where it faces a number of threats such as poor regeneration, disease, hybridisation, rising sea levels and urban development.
… Read full species entry >

<p>USA: New Mexico; Sangre de Cristo Mts.</p>

Pinus flexilis var. reflexa Near Threatened

A rare variety of the more widespread limber pine. Major potential threats include white pine blister rust and mountain pine beetles.… Read full species entry >

<p>USA: California; Desolation Wilderness</p>

Pinus monticola Near Threatened

A formerly widespread keystone species that was heavily exploited in the 19th and early 20th centuries and then further decimated by an introduced disease (white pine blister rust).
… Read full species entry >

<p>Wade Tract Preserve, Thomas County, Georgia</p>

Pinus palustris Endangered

Distributed in the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains of southeastern USA where extreme levels of logging have dramatically reduced the population size… Read full species entry >

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