Invasive Species

INVASIVE SPECIES Name: ___________________________________________________________ Period: ______ Date: _________ EQ: How can we help alleviate the problems caused by invasive species? What is an invasive species? Invasive alien species are plants, animals, or other organisms that are introduced to a given area outside their original habitat and cause harm in their new home. Because they have no natural enemies or predators to limit their reproduction, they usually spread rampantly. Invasive species are recognized as one of the leading threats to biodiversity and impose enormous costs to agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and as well as to human health. Biodiversity - is a term we use to describe the variety of life on Earth. It refers to the wide variety of ecosystems and living organisms: animals, plants, their habitats and their genes. Our food and energy security strongly depend on biodiversity and so does our vulnerability to natural hazards such as fires and flooding. Biodiversity loss has negative effects on our health and it largely limits our freedom of choice. Most of the medicines that we are using were derived from plants or flora and animals or fauna in our biodiverse world. There are several invasive species in North Carolina Here are some of them Autumn Olive, Asian Tiger Mosquito, Cabbage White Butterfly, Chinese Wisteria, English Ivy, European Starling, German Cockroach, Japanese Honeysuckle, Feral Cat, and Kudzu Kudzu a quick-growing eastern Asian climbing plant with reddish-purple flowers. It occurs along field edges, right-of-ways, and near riparian areas. This invasive vine colonizes by prolific growth along the ground and into tree canopies. Very few wildlife species eat or use Kudzu. Kudzu originally was introduced into the U.S. from Asia in the late 1800s for erosion control and as a livestock forage. Burmese Python is native to Southeast Asia. It was introduced in the U.S. for pet trade. Its wild populations became established from animals that escaped or were intentionally released. Burmese Python in the wild preys on native species, some of which are endangered such as the Key Largo woodrat. To help solve the issue, The Nature Conservancy in Florida launched Python Patrol in the Florida Keys in 2008. Trained responders dealt directly with the situation by safely and humanely capturing and removing pythons or other exotic constrictors they encounter. What can be done?     Don’t bring animals, plants and agricultural products (fruits, vegetables, soil) into the country illegally. Fill out customs declaration forms completely and honestly. The seeds of invasive plants can easily get transported in mud and dirt. Always remember to clean the dirt out of your hiking boots or off of your vehicle before you leave an area. Learn more. Become more educated and help spread the word about invasive species. Learn more about your local natural areas and the species in your yard. This will help you identify things that are not native and that might be invasive. Help out in your community. Join a local native plant organization or native fish or wildlife group. Clarifying Questions: 1. What is an invasive species? An invasive species is a non-native species that is introduced to a new environment, where it can proliferate and negatively affect the native ecosystem, often outcompeting native species ____________________________________________________________________________________________ for resources. 2. How can invasive species reproduce rapidly? Think! Invasive species can reproduce rapidly due to a variety of factors such as lack of natural predators or competitors in the new environment, high reproductive rates, adaptability to various environmental conditions, and efficient dispersal mechanisms like fast growth or prolific seed production. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Why are invasive species considered as one of the leading threats to biodiversity? Think! Invasive species threaten biodiversity by outcompeting native species, leading to declines or extinctions, and disrupting ecosystem functions. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Why do we need to participate in solving the problems on invasive species? Think! Participation in solving invasive species issues is crucial to prevent further spread and mitigate their impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. What is biodiversity? Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms on Earth, including different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms, as well as genetic diversity within species and diversity of ecosystems. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 6. Why do we need to protect biodiversity? ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Protecting biodiversity is essential for ecosystem resilience, sustaining ecosystem services, and supporting human well-being. 7. Give two reasons why biodiversity is important to our health? Think! Biodiversity is important for health because it provides medicinal resources and contributes to food security through diverse ecosystems. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 8. Give four examples of invasive species in North Carolina. Examples of invasive species in North Carolina include Japanese honeysuckle, Chinese privet, giant hogweed, and cogongrass. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 9. What is Kudzu? Kudzu is a fast-growing vine native to East Asia. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 10. Why is Kudzu considered as an invasive species? Think! Kudzu is considered invasive due to its rapid growth, which smothers native vegetation and disrupts ecosystems. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 11. What would happen to young plants if Kudzu’s prolific growth happens on the canopy? Think! The canopy, which may be over 100 feet (30 m) above the ground, is made up of the overlapping branches and leaves of rainforest trees If Kudzu's prolific growth happens on the canopy of a forest, it shades out native vegetation, leading to their decline. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 12. Why is the Burmese Python considered as an invasive species? The Burmese Python is invasive in Florida due to its introduction through the pet trade and subsequent establishment in the wild, where it preys on native wildlife. ___________________________________________________________________________________ 13. Why did they bring the Kudzu and the Burmese Python in the United States? Kudzu was brought for erosion control and as a decorative plant, while Burmese Pythons were brought as exotic pets. _____________________________________________________________________________________ 14. Provide two ways on how to help solve the problem on invasive species? Solutions to invasive species include prevention through regulations and control measures like mechanical removal and _____________________________________________________________________________________ biological control. _____________________________________________________________________________________ 15. How can proper education help in solving the problem on invasive species? Think! Proper education raises awareness about invasive species' impacts and promotes responsible behaviors, aiding in their _____________________________________________________________________________________ management and prevention. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Multiple Choice: I ____ 1. __are plants, animals, or other organisms that are introduced to a given area outside their original habitat and cause harm in their new home. B ____ 2. Invasive species reproduce rapidly in their new environment because They do not have ______. C ____ 3. Invasive species are threats to ______. D ____ 4. Biodiversity describes the _______ on Earth H ____ 5. Plants are also known as _____. E ____ 6. Animals are also known as _____. G ____ 7 Quick-growing eastern Asian climbing plant with reddish-purple flowers. F ____ 8. Kudzu was introduced in North Carolina for ______. A ____ 9. The Burmese python in Florida was introduced a _____. J ____ 10. The Burmese python has made the ______ an endangered species. C ____ 11. It refers to the wide variety of ecosystems and living organisms: animals, plants, their habitats and their genes C ____12. Most medicines are derived from _____. A. pet B. natural enemies or Predators C. biodiversity (use 3x) D. variety of life E. fauna F. erosion control and as a livestock forage G. Kudzu H. flora I. Invasive species J. Key Largo woodrat