Invasive Species

Invasive Species

Middle School

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Learning Objectives

• Define invasive species and describe their common characteristics.

• Explain how invasive species are introduced and the problems they cause.

• Identify examples of invasive species and their impacts on the environment.

• Describe methods to prevent the spread of invasive species.

Key Vocabulary

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Invasive Species

A non-native organism that spreads aggressively, causing harm to a new environment, the economy, or health.

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Native Species

Organisms that naturally live in an ecosystem without human introduction and are adapted to local conditions.

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Biodiversity

The variety of all living things in a habitat, which can be threatened by invasive species.

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Ecosystem

A community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment, which invasive species can disrupt.

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What Is an Invasive Species?

• An invasive species is a non-native organism that harms its new environment.

• It spreads aggressively, reproduces quickly, and is a leading threat to biodiversity.

• They outcompete native species and often have no natural predators to control them.

• Important: Not all non-native species are invasive or cause this kind of harm.

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Multiple Choice

Which statement best describes a key characteristic of an invasive species?

• They always benefit the new ecosystem they enter.

• They are native organisms that have become overpopulated.

• All non-native species are considered invasive.

• They reproduce quickly and lack natural predators in the new environment.

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How Do Invasive Species Spread?

• Humans often spread invasive species by accident when they travel or move goods.

• ​Aquatic species can travel in the ballast water of ships or on boat propellers.

• Insects hide in wood and crates, while some plants are brought for decoration.

• Some started as pets that were released into the wild, like Burmese pythons.

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Multiple Choice

According to the text, what is a primary way invasive species are spread by humans?

• Through natural weather patterns like wind and rain.

• Through volcanic eruptions spreading seeds.

• By being carried unintentionally during global travel and trade.

• By animals migrating naturally between continents.

The Negative Impacts of Invasive Species

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Ecological Impact

• ​Invasive species create an imbalance in the natural environment.

• ​​They outcompete native species for food and other resources.

• ​This can lead to the decline or extinction of native populations.

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Economic Impact

• ​They can threaten agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, costing billions.

• ​​Zebra mussels are known to clog the water pipes for plants.

• ​Red fire ant mounds can cause damage to farm equipment.

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Health Threats

• ​These species can endanger the health of plants, animals, and humans.

• ​​The aggressive Red fire ant attacks with a very painful venom.

• ​This venom can cause serious allergic reactions in some people.

Multiple Choice

How do Zebra mussels cause economic problems?

• They clog pipes for essential facilities like power plants.

• They attack humans with painful venom.

• They destroy crops by eating them.

• They compete with native fish for food.

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Examples of Invasive Species

• Burmese pythons in Florida compete with native animals like alligators for food.

• Zebra mussels from the Caspian Sea clog pipes and harm native mussels.

• Kudzu is a vine that smothers and kills native plants by blocking sunlight.

• Red fire ants have a painful sting and their mounds damage farm equipment.

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Multiple Choice

How does the Kudzu vine harm native plants?

• By poisoning the soil around them.

• By attracting insects that eat native plants.

• By growing over them and blocking sunlight.

• By consuming all the water in the ground.

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How You Can Help Stop Invasive Species

• Everyone can help stop the spread of invasive species to protect ecosystems.

• ​Check and clean belongings, vehicles, and boats before moving them to new areas.

• Do not bring plants from other places to plant in your garden.

• Never release pets like Burmese pythons into the wild to become invasive.

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Multiple Choice

What is a key action boaters can take to prevent the spread of Zebra mussels?

• Only use their boats in one lake.

• Release native fish into the lake to eat the mussels.

• Paint their boats with special paint that repels mussels.

• Clean and dry their boat before moving it to a different lake.

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Common Misconceptions About Invasive Species

Misconception	Correction
All non-native species are invasive.	Many non-native species are harmless and do not disrupt the local ecosystem.
Invasive species only affect wildlife.	They can also harm the economy and human health.
Small, individual actions don't make a difference.	Simple acts like cleaning boats can prevent the spread of invasive species.

Multiple Choice

Why are invasive species like the Burmese python in Florida so successful at disrupting the local ecosystem?

• They only eat plants, leaving no food for herbivores.

• They have no natural predators and outcompete native animals like alligators for food.

• They are able to camouflage perfectly in the new environment.

• They help native species by creating new habitats.

Multiple Choice

Based on the text, how do human economic activities like international trade contribute to the spread of invasive species?

• By creating protected areas where invasive species can thrive.

• By encouraging people to release their pets into the wild.

• By building roads that connect different ecosystems.

• By unintentionally transporting organisms in shipping crates and ship ballast water.

Multiple Choice

A farmer in Tennessee finds that his crops are being damaged and his equipment is being clogged by mounds of earth. Which invasive species is most likely the cause, and what other impact might it have?

• Burmese pythons, which also compete with native predators.

• Kudzu, which also blocks sunlight from other plants.

• Zebra mussels, which also clog power plant pipes.

• Red fire ants, which also deliver painful, venomous stings.

Multiple Choice

If a new aquatic invasive species that clings to surfaces is discovered in the Great Lakes, what would be the most effective immediate strategy to prevent its spread to other lakes, based on the provided solutions?

• Implement a widespread public awareness campaign about cleaning and drying boats before moving them.

• Plant more native aquatic plants to compete with the invader.

• Introduce a new predator to eat the invasive species.

• Ban all recreational boating on the Great Lakes.

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Summary

• Invasive species are non-native organisms that spread aggressively and harm their new environment.

• They are primarily spread through human activities, such as global trade and travel.

• Species like the Burmese Python and Kudzu cause major ecological and economic damage.

• You can help prevent their spread by cleaning equipment and not releasing pets.

Poll

On a scale of 1-4, how confident are you about the concepts covered in today's review?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4