Invasive Species and People

Why do invasive animals cause so much harm to local ecosystems?

1. Their prey has no natural defenses against them.

2. They can spread disease.

3. They reduce the food and water supplies available.

• 1 and 2

• 1 and 3

• 2 and 3

• 1, 2 and 3

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Which of these statements would be MOST important to include in an objective summary of the article?

• One way of stopping an invasive species is to try to eat all of them.

• Burmese pythons are an invasive species that are also pets.

• It is important to prevent the introduction of invasive species.

• Lionfish can hurt fisheries and coral reefs.

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What happens to the local plants if an invasive plant species takes hold in an ecosystem?

• Some local plants may lose the competition for resources and die.

• Some local plants may immediately develop new defenses.

• Some local plants may start to take in different nutrients to store them.

• Some local plants may quickly develop more efficient water use systems.

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"For example, the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis), native to Australia and Indonesia, has caused the extinction of endemic bird species in Guam."

Which central idea of the article is MOST supported by this selection?

• Invasive species can cause major damage to the local environment.

• Brown tree snakes are an invasive species.

• Guam was not careful about preventing the introduction of invasive species.

• Invasive species will eventually make all other animals in the region go extinct.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

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The harm caused by invasive species is not limited by just their immediate impact on food webs. Which invasive species' case study provides the best evidence of the further-reaching impact?

• feral pigs

• cane toads

• brown tree snake

• Burmese python

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How are tomatoes and potatoes different from invasive species?

• They are edible.

• They do not grow easily in many places.

• They stay in their native areas.

• They do not cause harm to the environment.

Which invasive species' case study provides evidence that ecosystems could still be altered even if the invasive species was successfully removed?

• The cane toad is toxic to predators.

• The lionfish caused economic damage.

• The Burmese python bred with local snakes.

• Potatoes and tomatoes were introduced as food.

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Why did the author conclude the article by encouraging people to try lionfish and avoid releasing pythons?

• to suggest those are the most effective ways to stop invasive species

• to use humor to suggest ways to stop invasive species

• to describe how people can help the state of Florida with its invasive species

• to warn people of the dangers of Burmese pythons

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