"Invasive species", or invasive exotics, are non-indigenous species, or "non-native", plants or animals that adversely affect the habitats and bio-regions they invade economically, environmentally, and/or ecologically. They disrupt by dominating a region, wilderness areas, particular habitats, and/or wildland-urban interface land from loss of natural controls (i.e.: predators or herbivores). This includes non-native invasive plant species labeled as exotic pest plants and invasive exotics, in restoration parlance, growing in native plant communities.

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Preventing the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species: Music with a Message from UW Extension (new window)

Research shows music can influence how people respond to messages, influencing memory and recall, emotion, information processing, attitudes, and even behavior.  To explore how music can help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, Environmental Communication Specialist for UW Extension and Assistant Professor in the Department of Life Sciences Communication, Bret Shaw, worked with a group of singer/songwriters to produce these songs to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in Wisconsin and beyond.