Unit IV: Native and Exotic Species

Vocabulary flashcards covering native, endemic, exotic, and invasive species, including legal definitions, ecosystem impacts, and key examples in the Philippines.

Native Species

A species that naturally exists at a given location or in a particular ecosystem, having not been moved there by humans.

Endemic Species (CBD Definition)

A native species restricted to a particular geographic region owing to factors such as isolation or in response to soil or climatic conditions.

Endemic Species (RA 9147 Definition)

A species or subspecies which is naturally occurring and found only within specific areas in the country.

Exotic Species

A plant, animal, or microorganism species introduced into an area outside of its native range or found outside its normal habitats (Sinclair, et al., 2006).

Invasive Species

Any non-native species introduced to an ecosystem whose presence causes environmental and economic harm.

Characteristics of Exotic Species

Traits including being non-harmful to ecosystems, having natural competitors or enemies, having no negative effect on native species, and potentially requiring a lot of resources for growth.

Characteristics of Invasive Species

Traits including fast growth, rapid reproduction ability, high dispersal ability, absence of natural competitors or enemies, and the potential to completely replace native species.

Ecological Impacts of Introduced Species

Negative effects such as becoming competitors with native wildlife, modification of trophic relationships within a pre-existing community, and extinction due to demographic or environmental stochasticity.

Examples of Exotic Species

Venus flytrap, purple beautyberry, voodoo lily, sensitive plant, cows, pigs, chicken, pigeons, and mute swans.

Examples of Invasive Species

Kudzu, English ivy, feral cats, feral horses, lionfish, Asian carp, Japanese beetle, and cane toads.

Cane toad

An invasive fauna species in the Philippines.

Golden Apple Snail

An invasive fauna species in the Philippines.

Finlayson's Squirrel

An invasive fauna species in the Philippines.

Chinese Softshelled Turtle

An invasive fauna species in the Philippines.

African Giant Snail

An invasive fauna species in the Philippines.