Invasive Species: Nature's Unintended Consequences

What is NOT a real example of an invasive species?

• Kudzu vine

• Giant panda

• European rabbit

• Burmese python

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Why did the Kudzu vine become uncontrollable in the southeastern United States?

• There were no natural predators

• It was used as cattle feed

• It was resistant to pesticides

• It thrived in cold climates

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Why were Burmese pythons introduced to Florida?

• For pest control

• Released by pet owners

• For scientific research

• By accident during shipping

What factor allows European rabbits to thrive in Australia?

• Government protection

• Abundance of predators

• Lack of food sources

• Climate suitable for year-long reproduction

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What is a limiting factor in an ecosystem?

• The number of herbivores in an area

• A condition that restricts the size of a species population

• A species that is introduced from another ecosystem

• The amount of sunlight available to plants

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How do healthy ecosystems maintain balance?

• By removing all predators

• Via limiting factors like food availability

• Through human intervention

• By introducing new species regularly

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What is the role of predators in an ecosystem?

• To introduce new species

• To increase the population of herbivores

• To plant more trees

• To control the population of herbivores

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Why are invasive species a problem?

• They are always dangerous

• They make the soil infertile

• They consume all the water

• They disrupt the natural balance of ecosystems

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What is a common way invasive species are introduced to new environments?

• By escaping from zoos

• Alien abduction

• Natural disasters

• Through human activities

What measure is taken by governments to control invasive species?

• Eliminating all predators

• Changing the climate

• Introducing more invasive species

• Banning imports of certain organisms

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