Different types of flora and fauna have taken root across Ohio, hurting ecosystems and destroying native species’ habitats. Many of these species have caused others to go extinct or endangered them. While there are measures in place to try to counteract the damage they do the method that works best is prevention.

A very common way invasive species spread into other ecosystems is because people don’t think that small consequences have actions.

For example, moving firewood from one camping site to another can spread tree killing insects to other ecosystems.

Being self-aware of your actions is the best way to prevent your actions from hurting the environment. Other methods to stop the spread of invasive species include cleaning your fishing and hiking gear. While it might seem that small methods have little to no effect, small bugs can wreak havoc on ecosystems, like the Emerald Ash Borer which has destroyed the population of Ash trees.

Emerald Ash Borers are native to China and and eastern Asia but took root in North America because of imported wood. Since they were introduced in North America, it is believed to have killed millions of trees in the United States and Canada, with billions more across North America at risk of infestation and death.

Also to avoid spreading invasive species into lakes, use native bait. Doing a little research before hand can save the ecosystem if you only take the time.

In the end, it’s a lot of small actions that can have a large effect on the environment. Checking equipment, your shoes or even your pet before moving to another ecosystem can be detrimental to the environment. We often don’t think our actions have big consequences but if more people took the time to utilize these precautions then we could save species that would otherwise become endangered.