Invasive Species. What is an invasive species? / Invasive Species are species that occur outside of their natural ranges because of human activity / An.

Invasive Species

What is an invasive species? Invasive Species are species that occur

outside of their natural ranges because of human activity

An invasive species becomes invasive when it becomes established in its new environment and out competes native species

The new species survives because there is NO NATURAL PREDATOR

Types of invasive species Animals Plants

Pathogens - disease causing organisms

What is the problem with an invasive species?

It can cause an imbalance in the natural environment by: (1).. Out competing native organisms- eg ivy Changing abiotic factors- eg milfoil algae

decreases oxygen levels in lakes Threaten agriculture- pine beetle Endanger the health of plants and animals

How do invasive species travel? Humans- Can simply carry a organism.

Some invasives can stow away on a ship or plane.

Wind - Seeds can be carried great distances.

Water - Organisms can be transported on natural “rafts”

Examples of Invasive Species:

Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus) Lionfish (Pterois spp.) Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) English Ivy And many more

English Starling In an attempt to introduce all birds mentioned in Shakespeare’s writings to North America, 50 pairs of European starlings were released in 1890 in New York’s Central Park. Quick to adapt, these birds have since become one of the most abundant and widespread avian species in the United States and

Canada with an estimated 200 million now found over most of North America, Mexico, and parts of the Caribbean. Living in large flocks, starlings

have been found to have serious detrimental effects on native bird populations. Starlings compete with native species for nest cavities in trees, rather than excavating their own. Ruthless thieves, they displace the native

birds by stealing nesting habitats, often destroying eggs and killing fledglings in the process.

Zebra Mussel(2)

Originally from the Caspian and Black Sea.

Introduced to the Great Lakes in 1988. Cause many problems:

Can harm other fresh water mussels Can block intake pipes for power plants Can cause problems for recreational

activities.

Zebra Mussel

Zebra mussels Covering a Crayfish

(3b)

Zebra Musselshowing bysall threads(3a)

Giant Hogweed(2)

Native to Eurasia Introduced to the United States in 1917. Originally used as an ornamental plant It out competes other plants for

resources. It produces a toxic sap. We see signs for a similar plant on the

Upper Levels Highway.

Giant Hogweed Video (4)

Giant Hogweed

Hogweed (4)

Asian Tiger Mosquito(2)

Originally from Asia. Introduced to Hawaii in the late

1800’s. Continental United States in 1985.

Can be a vector for disease. Ex. West Nile Virus

Asian Tiger Mosquito (5)

Africanized Honey Bees Accidentally released during a breeding experiment in Brazil in the

1950s: migrated northward across South and Central America and into the southern part of the United States.

:bear a close resemblance to their more docile European cousins, Africanized honeybees are far more dangerous to humans and animals because of their extreme aggression. Quick to attack in large numbers, they react to disturbances 10 times faster, causing victims to receive 10 times as many stings as they normally would from the European strain. Intensely defensive of their hive, they will chase a person a quarter of a mile or more in order to protect it. 

Africanized Honey Bees

Lionfish(2)

Native to the Pacific Ocean Introduced to the water around the

United States in 1992 through the aquarium trade.

Preys on native species. Has poisonous spines.

Asian Longhorned Beetle This beetle attacks and kills hardwood trees, such as maple, elm, horse chestnut,

ash, birch, poplar, willow, It could significantly disrupts the forest ecosystem if it becomes established over a large area. As these trees represent billions of dollars to the Canadian and U.S. economy by supplying lumber, wood, paper, and maple syrup, among other products, there is an all-out war on this insect.

What can you do?

1. Obey the rules. Do not transport plants and animals when you travel.

2. Never release pets into the wild.

3. Learn about invasive species in your area for identification.

4. Use native plants.