Invasive Species Quiz

What is an invasive species?

• A species that is endangered in its native habitat

• A non-native species that causes harm in a new environment

• A native species that becomes dominant in its own ecosystem

• A species that only lives under laboratory conditions

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What is one reason kudzu grows uncontrollably in the southeastern United States?

• It reproduces via spores only

• It has many natural predators there

• Its native parasites are present in large numbers

• It lacks natural checks (predators, diseases) and benefits from a favorable climate.

How did kudzu get introduced into the U.S.?

• Accidentally via contaminated soil

• As a decorative plant and for soil erosion control

• Imported as livestock feed only

• Released by pet owners

What is the Burmese python’s effect in the Florida Everglades?

• It helps control invasive rodents

• It competes with native predators and eats many native animals

• It stays confined to pet trade, causing no ecological damage

• It only eats non-native species

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In its native habitat, what helps keep the Burmese python population in check?

• Rich food supply

• Human hunters

• Diseases, parasites, and predators

• Lack of nesting sites

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What problem emerged with the European rabbit population in Australia?

• They couldn’t reproduce due to drought

• They ate so many plants that there wasn’t enough food left for themselves or other species

• They were quickly hunted to near extinction by local predators

• They couldn’t adapt to Australian climates and died off

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Why was the rabbit population in Australia able to grow unchecked?

• Because of many natural predators in Australia

• Because Australians stopped all hunting

• Because there were few natural predators and favourable conditions for rabbits

• Because rabbits migrated from nearby islands each year

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What happens to ecosystems when species have coevolved over thousands of years?

• They tend to be more fragile and unstable

• A balance is reached where species mutually limit each other

• Every species competes without any cooperation

• They become more vulnerable to native species introduction

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Which of the following is a limiting factor in an ecosystem?

• Lack of space

• Presence of predators

• Disease

• All of the above

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What can happen if an organism is suddenly introduced into an ecosystem where it’s not native?

• The balance achieved by coevolution may be upset

• Native species always benefit

• Nothing changes because nature adapts immediately

• The introduced species always dies out

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