3.7 Invasive or Exotic Species

Kudzu has overgrown many parts of southern Missouri and native ground plants have disappeared from the area. This is an example of:

• Parasitism between kudzu and the native plants
• A predator prey relationship between ground plants and kudzu
• Competition occurring between the native and invasive species
• Commensalism occurring between the kudzo and native plants

Which of the following is not a characteristic of invasive plants?

• Lots of seeds
• effective dispersal methods
• Easily established
• Smells pretty

How do invasive plants damage the environment?

• Compete with native species
• Change plant community
• Alter diversity
• All of these

Does every species have the means to become invasive? 

• Depends on the abiotic factors
• es, if the food web can support another organism
• Yes, if they are determined enough
• No, only species that pose a threat to ecosystem

This invasive species came over in boats from Europe in the 1980's.  They harm native fish, clog pipes and ruin beaches.  

• Sea Lamprey
• Zebra Mussel
• Asian Carp
• Feral Swine

The Asian Carp is causing what type of damage/risks to native animals?

• A.  It is eating the food of the native fish.
• B.  It is jumping out of the water, injuring boaters.
• C.  It destroys crops and clogs pipes.
• D.  Both answers A and B are correct.

The sea lamprey is a risk to native fish because:

• It attaches to the body and sucks the blood from the fish. 
• It eats the alage the fish need.
• It is ruining beaches.
• The lamprey causes no risk to native fish. 

Why do the populations of invasive species grow so quickly? 

• Invasive Species are native to an area. 
• Invasive species are prey to many animals.
• Invasive species have no predators.
• Invasive species keep the ecosystems in equilibrium.

The lack of natural predators makes populations of invasive species unmanageable?

• True
• False

An increase of biodiversity comes from new species invading?

• True
• False