Invasive Species

Invasive Species

Florida is well known for its variety of native plant and animal species……

Florida Panther

Sabal Palmetto

Manatee

However, there is a variety of invasive species hurting Florida’s ecosystems….

Pythons

Kudzu Grass

Asian Tiger Mosquitoes

In the late 80s and early 90s, the Tokay was introduced to Hawaii, Florida, Texas, Belize and the Caribbean islands and it is now considered an invasive species in these locations. Natively, they are mostly found from northeast India through Asia all the way to Indonesia and western New Guinea

Tokay Gecko

Unfortunately, humans are a large contributor to this problem!

We have introduced many of these species into the environment…..

One question going through the environmental agencies is, “How do we fix this problem??”

YOU are being asked to help!

What are you going to be doing?

In groups of three, you will be writing and presenting a proposal on how to safely remove an invasive species from the ecosystem!

For the next few weeks, your group will be conducting research and using the fundamentals of ecology to help restore the ecosystems of Florida.

Everyone says they want to help the world. Here’s your chance! Good luck!

ObjectiveObjective: :

The objective of this project is to try to remove a species that is considered invasive in the state of Florida from the ecosystem it is invading without hurting the species or the ecosystem around it.

State benchmark:SC.912.L.17.8 Recognize the consequences of the losses of diversity due to catastrophic events, climate changes, human activity and the introduction of invasive and non-native species.

Background:Background:

Invasive species are species that were introduced to an ecosystem, whether by accident or on purpose, and have had a negative effect on that ecosystem. Invasive species do not only include animals, but plants, fungi, protists, and even bacteria.

Due Date: Wednesday September 28th

Tomorrow we will go to the Computer lab and your group will select an invasive species to research and begin your background research.

Read over the directions tonight and be ready to select your species because once one is taken you will need to select another!

Each group must have a different invasive species on which to report !!

We will be going to the computer lab 3 times before the projects are due.

Use your time wisely!

You have a choice of a Power point, brochure, or poster to present your information to the class.

Grade Breakdown (out of Grade Breakdown (out of 51 points):51 points):

Background information-10 points (2 points each)

1.What is the name of your species?2.What type of organism is your species (ex.

Plant/animal)3.How many of this organism lives in the

world? In Florida?4.Where is this organism native to?5. How did this organism get introduced to

Florida?

The “Problems”-The “Problems”- 13 points 13 points

1. What ecosystem in Florida is this species invading? (2 points)

2. Which populations in this ecosystem are this species affecting the most? (2 points)

3. What makes this species invasive? (How does it affect energy flow in the ecosystem, taking habitats, preying on native species, etc?) (9 points)

The “Solution”-The “Solution”- 13 points 13 points1. Research and find, or make up your own removal

method that is safe for the species being removed, as well as the ecosystem. The goal is

not to hurt anything, but to help everyone. (3 points)

2. How does this method work? (2 points)

3. If it is a method that has been used previously, what type of ecosystem was it used on in the past, and what was the outcome of using that method? If it has not been used or thought of before, explain why that may be. (3 points)

4. Do you think this removal method could work on any invasive species being removed from any ecosystem? Why or why not? (3 points)

5. Who would you recommend this removal method to? Why? (2 points)

Creativity on Poster/Power point/Brochure- 5 points

Organization of Poster/Power point/Brochure (Is it easy to read/understand?)- 5 points

Presentation (every group member must participate in presentation)-5 points

Group members will have a chance to peer review each other for their participation in the project. The peer review will affect individual grades on the project. So make sure everyone works hard and works together!

http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/unitedstates/fl.shtml#thr

FPLhttp://www.fpl.com/environ

ment/exotic/exotic_and_invasive_species_index.shtml

Species list

1. Brazilian Pepper2. European Starling3. Melaleuca4. Wild Hog5. Australian Pine6. Cuban Tree Frog7. Japanese Climbin

g Fern8. Fire Ant

1. Water Hyacinth2. Asian Swamp Eel3. Hydrilla4. Great Toad5. Monk Parakeet6. Blue Tilapia7. Citrus Canker8. Spectacled

Caiman