aquatic invasive species quizzes

Non-native plants in the horticulture trade are recognized as being especially likely to establish in new regions for which of the following reasons…

housed outside and adapted to local environmental conditions

Why is the rise in online aquarium pet trade particularly concerning for the introduction of nonnative species?

A greater diversity of nonnative aquarium species are available to be shipped from online marketplaces

Shipping is considered a primary vector of nonnative species introductions in coastal ecosystems. Why?

Shipping practices are widespread, thus providing many opportunities for the transport of nonnative species in ballast or on hulls.

Ship ballast water containing nonnative species are released into destination ports.

The "tens-rule" predicts that 1 in 10 species are likely to successful transition through a stage of the invasion process. But in reality, empirical evidence for this "rule" best exists for which of the following stage?

Introduction

What two factors best describes the risk of species introductions caused by recreational fishing and boating?

Hull fouling and entanglement of nonnative species on boats

Transport and purposeful release of live nonnative bait

Primary introduction pathway for freshwater fish

stocking for recreation

Primary introduction pathway for marine plants

aquaculture practices

Primary introduction pathway for mussels

shipping activities

Primary introduction pathway for freshwater plants

horticulture practices

T/F: Allee effects always reduce the probability of nonnative species invasion, regardless of propagule pressure.

False

Greater propagule number promotes which outcomes that ultimately increase the probability of invasion?

Increased likelihood of individuals experiencing favorable environmental conditions

Greater genetic diversity of founding population

Reduced effects of demographic stochasticity on founding population

In the absence of other life-history constraints, fishes that can feed at low trophic levels are predicted to be more successful to establish because…

they can utilize food resources that are less likely to be limited

Why is urbanization commonly associated with higher levels of nonnative species establishment?

Greater probability of disturbed environments leading to new ecological niche opportunities for nonnatives

Greater likelihood of propagules being released/introduced

The Fluctuating Resource Availability Hypothesis predicts that a community will become more susceptible to invasion whenever there is an increase in unused resources. What is the main assumption of this hypothesis?

Species in the recipient community are competing for resources with the invasive species

The enemy release hypothesis describes how nonnative species "escape" their natural enemies in their native range, leading to greater likelihood of establishment. Which of the follow mechanisms are responsible for this process when involving nonnative species "escaping" from their native parasites?

Parasites may not survive the transit phase of the introduction

Some parasites have complex life-histories that require multiple host species

In which situations would you expect biotic resistance to play a strong role in affecting the likelihood on nonnative species establishment in a new region?

The nonnative species is a wea competitor for resources

The new region has low resource availability

Reaction-diffusion models have provided important insight into the spatial spread of invasive species. What are the assumptions of these models?

Dispersal occurs equally in all directions

Dispersal occurs in a homogenous environment

Dispersal occurs over only short distances

Time lags in species invasions refer to a delay between initial colonization and the onset of rapid population growth and range expansion. What is a possible cause of this phenomenon?

Delay in the detection of the invader due to a low founding population size

Strong Allee effects in the founding population

Changes in ecological conditions to those favored by the invader

What limits our scientific understanding of the ecological impacts of invasive species?

Our understanding is largely limited to certain taxonomic groups

Long-term impacts of invasive species are rarely studied

Geographic biases in research location limits our understanding

T/F: Greater per-capita effects of an invasive species will always lead to greater overall ecological impacts on a native species population?

False

When illustrating the food web impacts of invasive species in northern lakes, the presence of which of the following reduced the impacts of nonnative bass on native lake trout?

open-water (pelagic) prey fish

Most likely ecological impact of zebra mussels

Nutrient enrichment in sediment

Most likely ecological impact of common carp

decreased water clarity

Most likely ecological impact of lionfish

increased algal biomass

Most likely ecological impact of periwinkle snail

Habitat disturbance

What are the relevant lines of evidence that support that the invasion success of cane toad in Australia has been assisted by the rapid evolution of improved dispersal ability?

Longer-legged toads are disproportionately common among the first wave of arrivals at any location

Toads at the invasion front are longer-legged than toads from other populations

Economic costs associated with damages of an invasive species is most likely to be associated with which of the stages of the invasion process?

Spread

T/F: Typically, the cost of eradication is greater than the economic costs of an invasive species in the short-term.

True

Which factors play an important role in determining whether an invasive species will be able to rapidly evolve in a new environment?

Low propagule pressure (negative)

What are important advantages of using eDNA approaches for the early detection of invasive species?

Detecting threatened and endangered species in a non-disruptive way

Poor taxonomic understanding that leads to inaccurate identification of species in the field

Positive detection of rare and/or hard to find species

T/F: Public awareness of invasive species promotes greater engagement (and individual compliance) in prevention campaigns.

True

What best explains why invasive species are often difficult to detect during the early stages of introduction across taxa and ecosystems?

Initial population size and density are low; individuals may be small-bodied or cryptic and unfamiliar to observers

Watercraft inspection stations are a common strategy to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Given limited budgets and personnel, managers must decide where and when to operate these checkpoints. What best describes the role of quantitative optimization methods in this management context?

They identify high-risk transportation routes and optimal station placement or scheduling that maximizes interception efficiency under resource constraints

What components are essential for ensuring the greatest likelihood of invasive species eradication?

Limited original introduction pathways for the invasive species

Rapid management actions to eliminate invasive species population

Early detection of invasive species

T/F: Management goals for invasive species eradication typically involves just eliminating the invasive species population and does not also include conservation targets for monitoring the potential recovery of native species or ecosystem.

True

T/F: Underwater bubble, acoustic and light curtains are considered permanent barriers to help contain invasive species.

False

Which barriers would be the most effective for containing the spread of a large-bodied fish species?

Physical screens

Integrated Vector Management aims to reduce the introduction of non-native species via specific transport vectors. What best describes the vector interruption stage of this process?

Management actions aimed at reducing propagules that are transferred by particular vectors

What are the two most important data sources in quantitative risk assessments for identifying high-risk invasive species?

Matching traits (attributes) of previously established and high impact invasive species

High environmental suitability of the new region based on the native range of the nonnative species

What is the main disadvantage of using permanent physical barriers to containment nonnative species populations?

These barriers also block the movement of native species

What was the main reason for the failure of the electrical barrier to prevent upstream movement of Asian carp into Lake Michigan?

Insufficient voltage to prevent the passage of juvenile carp