Invasive Species Lesson

Invasive Species

"Asian lady beetle - invasive species" by gbohne is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

What Are Invasive Species?

• An invasive species is a living thing that is introduced to a new environment and typically causes damage to their new ecosystem.

• They can eat the food supply of native species and cause a decline in the native species population!

• They usually have no natural predators, so their populations keep increasing.

• Image credit: "Aquatic Invasive Species: Mussel fouled propeller from Lake Mead, Arizona" by Government of Alberta is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0T

Multiple Choice

What is an invasive species?

• A species that is native to the land

• A species that is introduced to a new environment and typically causes damage to their new ecosystem.

• A species that is in an ecosystem as a result of primary succession

Multiple Choice

Why do the populations of invasive species grow so quickly?

• They are prey to many animals.

• They have no food in their new ecosystem.

• Invasive species have no natural predators.

Where Do Invasive Species Come From?

• Invasive species come from all over the globe.

• There may be a species of animal or plant that is native to your area, but if you brought it somewhere else, it would be considered invasive!

• The Burmese python, pictured on the right, is native to southeast Asia, but it is now invading Florida, because people let their pets escape!

• "Pilot Python Elimination Program" by SFWMD is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

How Do They Get There?

• Invasive species can travel from one location to another in many different ways.

• Aquatic invasive species such as mollusks, often travel via boat, latching themselves onto the hull and traveling for thousands of miles.

• Plants often travel via human. The kudzu plant was brought to America on purpose for decoration. 

• The government and trade with other countries can also introduce invasive species to new territory, not knowing the harm they will cause.

Multiple Choice

How do invasive species travel?

• They are pets released by people.

• They travel via boat, latching themselves onto the hull and traveling for thousands of miles

• They are brought in by people traveling or importing goods.

• All of the above

Why Are Invasive Species a Big Problem?

• Invasive species can have many negative effects on the ecosystem in which they invade.

• They consume the native species and food of native species, so the native species die out quicker.

• They don’t have any natural predators, so they reproduce very quickly and nothing eats them so their populations grow very quickly!

• by The Sands Kenya is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Multiple Choice

What caused the lion fish to end up in the Atlantic Ocean?

• The lionfish swam there from The Pacific Ocean.

• Pet owners dumped their unwanted fish into the ocean.

Multiple Choice

Invasive species can have a major negative impact on the ecosystem

• true

• false

Example of an Invasive Species

• In Florida, alligators eat fish and other small mammals. The Burmese Python also eats fish and other small mammals. When they Burmese python is introduced to the same ecosystem as the alligator, they eat all of the food that the alligators eat, so the alligators don’t get as much food. Because they have less food, the alligators begin to die, while the python takes over its new environment. 

• "Florida Alligator in Canal from Shark Valley Everglades Wetlands" by Captain Kimo is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

How Can We Fix the Problem?

• There are some universal ways to help “stop” invasive species from harming the ecosystem they invade:

• If you encounter an invasive species in the wild, remove it.

• Check to make sure you’re not taking any native plant, animal, or bug with you when you travel.

• Do not transport plants from other places, even as decoration.

• Be careful with pets, and try not to let them into the wild.

Multiple Choice

How can we try to help fix the invasive species problem?

• Make sure you’re not taking any native plant, animal, or bug with you when you travel

• Do not transport plants from other places, even as decoration.

• Do not release pet animals into the wild.

• All of the above.