A nuisance species, in ecological and environmental science contexts, refers to a taxon (native or non-native) whose population density, behavior, or spatial distribution causes persistent, undesirable interference with human activities, infrastructure, or ecosystem management objectives without necessarily meeting criteria for invasive status. These species can disrupt fisheries, agriculture, recreation, or water management; alter habitat quality; or increase operational costs for monitoring and control. Scientifically, the concept is management-oriented rather than taxonomic, emphasizing thresholds of impact, risk assessment, and cost–benefit analyses of control strategies, often integrating population ecology, disturbance regimes, and human–wildlife conflict frameworks.
For decades, ecologists have known that how a species looks or eats affects its environment. But a new study by researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, shows that social behavior related to mating can be ...
Plants & Animals
Mar 11, 2026
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Trust in others and prior experience with feral hogs were significant factors in whether landowners would commit effort and dollars to controlling the destructive animals, two studies have found.
Plants & Animals
Mar 6, 2026
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Populations of suburban deer have been on the rise across the U.S. for the last 50 years. Suburban landscapes are like buffet tables with their plentiful lawns, shrubs, and gardens that tempt the animals into human territory. ...
Ecology
Mar 5, 2026
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An estimated 8,000 invasive green iguanas were removed from various Florida communities this week after a record-breaking freeze event that sent overnight temperatures down to the mid-30s for two nights in a row. On Wednesday, ...
Plants & Animals
Feb 5, 2026
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A new Curtin University study warns that large parts of Australia, including major cities and farming regions, could be highly vulnerable to a fast-spreading invasive beetle, already causing severe damage across the Perth ...
Plants & Animals
Feb 5, 2026
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Depending on who's talking, beavers can be any of the following: unsung ecological heroes, nuisance rodents bent on wreaking havoc, cute creatures brimming with charisma—or a hunting target.
Plants & Animals
Nov 25, 2025
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Invasive tawny crazy ants have been wreaking havoc across the U.S. Gulf Coast from Florida to Texas, disrupting ecosystems and causing headaches for homeowners. Now scientists at The University of Texas at Austin have devised ...
Plants & Animals
Nov 11, 2025
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Hunters will soon be allowed to kill mute swans as part of an effort to cull the "destructive, non-native" species statewide, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Plants & Animals
Oct 24, 2025
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Almost everyone who has a garden knows what a nuisance slugs can be. They are also one of the most destructive crop pests in the UK. Studies show that yields of many major crops, such as wheat, are severely reduced by their ...
Ecology
Sep 24, 2025
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Researchers from the USDA's Agricultural Research Service are opening new markets for America's fruit growers. Fruit flies are major economic and quarantine pests that impact fresh fruit production and impede international ...
Agriculture
Aug 21, 2025
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