Invasive Species

When functioning properly, ecosystems house organisms that keep each other’s populations _________________.

• balanced

• in peril

• extinct

• growing out of control

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What is an invasive species?

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

• A species that is native to the land

• A species that is not part of the original ecosystem but has made its way into it

• A species that wipes out all organisms in the area

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Kudzu has overgrown many parts of the southern United States and as a result, many 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 kudzu and native plants

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Why are Burmese pythons not a problem in their native Asia, but are a problem in Florida?

• They are much bigger in Florida

• Diseases, parasites, and predators help to control their population in Asia

• They have more predators in Florida

• They have less predators in Asia

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

How were European rabbits introduced to Australia?

• Accidentally, on ships

• Accidentally, carried by a hawk

• Intentionally, as small game to hunt

• Intentionally, to keep plant species in check

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

When taken to a new habitat, non-native plants often threaten native plants of the new habitat.  Why do they do this?

• Non-native plants are able to mutate rapidly
• Non-native  plants cause native animals to relocate
• Non-native plants are able to be used for medicine
• Non-native plants compete with native plants for resources

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.3

CCSS.RI.5.3

CCSS.RI.6.3

CCSS.RI.7.3

CCSS.RI.8.3

A limiting factor is:

• Environmental factors that restrict the size or range of a species

• Environmental factors that allow a species to grow exponentially

• Environmental factors that allow a species to exceed its carrying capacity

• Environmental factors that keep an organism in one area

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

An example of a limiting factor is:

• Climate

• Food availability

• Presence/absence of predators

• All of the above

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

If a species is introduced to a new habitat, and the limiting factors of the new habitat fail to restrict the species' growth, the species will:

• Continue to multiply

• Out compete native species for resources

• Disrupt the ecosystem

• All of the above

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

The __________________ of a species in an environment is the maximum population size of the species that the environment can sustain indefinitely, given the food, habitat, water, and other necessities available in the environment.

• limiting factors

• carrying capacity

• extinction

• growth