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What Are Invasive Species?

What are invasive species and why are they a problem in Oregon?

Faces Of The Invasion: Ecomonic Crisis

Faces Of The Invasion: The Ripple Effect

Faces Of The Invasion: Paths Of Invasion

Faces Of The Invasion: Unintended Consequences

Faces Of The Invasion: Environmental Impact

Faces Of The Invasion: Prevention

'Tastes Like Chicken': An Invasive Species BBQ

Nick Fisher/OPB

By Cassandra Profita
OPB
Feb. 11, 2016 5:41 p.m.

A group of ecologists cook up a clever way to address the problem of invasive species — one bite at a time.

Invasive Crayfish May Be Class Pets First

By Vince Patton
OPB
Feb. 16, 2011 10 p.m.

Oregon has two new invasive species to deal with. For the first time in the western United States, scientists say two kinds of crayfish have appeared in streams and rivers. What makes this story unusual is how they got here.

Tsunami Debris Continues Delivering Invasive Species To The West Coast

Lynn Ketchum

By Jes Burns
OPB/EarthFix
Sept. 29, 2017 9:10 a.m.

New research shows nearly 300 species have traveled on debris rafts across the Pacific Ocean.

Native Shrimp Once Killed With Pesticides Now At Risk From Invasive Parasite

Casssandra Profita/OPB/EarthFix

By Cassandra Profita
OPB/EarthFix
July 28, 2017 9:45 a.m.

For years, oyster growers in the Northwest have been looking for ways to kill the burrowing mud shrimp. Now, it seems, an invasive parasite is doing it for them.

OPB
Jan. 17, 2020 9:22 a.m.

Don't be fooled by their enthusiastic behavior — the invasive "Asian jumping worm" poses a serious threat to Oregon's natural ecosystem.

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About The Silent Invasion: An OPB Special Investigation

Something troubling is taking hold in Oregon. Strange, exotic plants and animals are showing up in places where they don't belong. They are invasive species, and they're taking over landscapes, driving native wildlife away, and making everyone from ranchers to fishermen to wildlife managers nervous. What are these invaders? Where do they come from? And what can we do to stop them?

Series Contributors

Ed Jahn

Executive Editor, Science and Environment