Env. Science: Invasive Species

invasive species

invasive species

A non-native species that posses environmental and economic harm to native ecosystems

HIPPO

-Habitat Destruction
-Invasive Species
-Pollution
-population growth
-overharvesting

Factors that limit biodiversity

Why is HIPPO important?

-habitat loss > population growth decreases
-invasive species introduction > habitat destruction

Give an example of how these 5 factors (HIPPO) can overlap and influence each other

colonize new territory (coming from other areas) AND disrupt the ecological balance by negatively impacting native species

Invasive species are species that...

50,000

over the past 300 years approximately _______________ invasive species have populated areas within the U.S

Free of:
-Predators
-diseases
-resources that controlled their population in native env.

Why are non-native species especially successful?

The species on the island had evolved for so long w/o any predators.
The invasives are not kept in check-lack their natural predators

Why are nonnative species especially destructive on islands?

-Tamarisk: large evergreen flowering shrub introduced in desert reclamation programs > spread quickly by wind/water > quickly got out of hand/crowded out native species > spent 1.4 million on irradiation > did nothing > plants aren't actually that harmful

Describe the costliness of invasives (tamarisk)

1940's

when was the lamprey introduced

Welland Canal

What canal allowed sea lampreys to bypass Niagara falls

6

Sea Lampreys have made it successfully into how many great lakes

1980

when was the zebra mussel introduced into the great lakes

-after 3-5 years it metaphorized onto a parasitic adult > migrates into the Great lakes
-kill & disrupt food chain
-harms fishing industry

What are the ecological and economic impact of the Sea Lamprey?

St Clare waterway, Detroit
-Ballast water/shipping boats

How did the Zebra Mussel get into the Great lakes

boats and bait buckets

how does the Zebra Mussel continue to spread

-clogs equipment (power companies/water treatment facilities)
-alters habitat/over filters clean water

What are the ecological and economic impact of the Zebra Mussel

1880s

when was the eurasian Milfoil brought

brought as an aquarium plant > made it into the wild
-early growing
-spreads quick > fragmentation

How was the eurasian Milfoil brought into the great lakes

-tolerates a wide range of aquatic env.
-grows densely and spreads (by boat)
-easily BLOCKS sun & disrupts habitat
-damage boat motors and lowers shoreline property value

What are the ecological and economic impact of the Eurasian Milfoil

never... it hasn't made it here yet

When was the Asian carp introduced into the Great Lakes?

Chicago Illinois shipping canals > Lake Mi
-originally brought to clean waste water

asian Carp...

-reproduce faster > grow fast (+100 lb fish)
-ruin fishing/boating/tourism industry

What are the ecological and economic impact Asian Carp