Invasive Species It Doesn T Sound Very Threatening, Does It? but These Invaders, Large
Introduction:
"Invasive species" it doesn’t sound very threatening, does it? But these invaders, large and small, have devastating effects on U.S. wildlife. Invasive species are one of the leading threats to native wildlife. Approximately 42% of threatened or endangered species are at risk primarily due to invasive species.
Human health and economies are also at risk from invasive species. The impacts of invasive species on our natural ecosystems and economy cost billions of dollars each year. Many of our commercial, agricultural, and recreational activities depend on healthy native ecosystems.
An invasive species can be any kind of living organism that is not native to an ecosystem and which causes harm. They can harm the environment, the economy, or even human health. Species that grow and reproduce quickly, and spread aggressively, with potential to cause harm, are given the label of “invasive”.
An invasive species does not have to come from another country. For example, lake trout are native to the Great Lakes, but are considered to be an invasive species in Yellowstone Lake in Wyoming because they compete with native cutthroat trout for habitat.
Invasive species are primarily spread by human activities, often unintentionally. People, and the goods we use, travel around the world very quickly, and they often carry uninvited species with them. Ships can carry aquatic organisms in their ballast water; insects can get into wood, shipping palettes and crates that are shipped around the world; some ornamental plants can escape into the wild and become invasive; and some invasive species are intentionally or accidentally released pets, such as the Burmese pythons becoming a big problem in the Everglades.
Invasive species cause harm to wildlife in many ways. When a new and aggressive species is introduced into an ecosystem, it might not have any natural predators or controls. It can breed and spread quickly, taking over an area. Native wildlife may not have evolved defenses against the invader or they cannot compete with a species that has no predators.
Adapted from http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Threats-to-Wildlife/Invasive-Species.aspx
Procedure:
1. Choose an invasive species from the list on the next page. You may work alone or with a partner.
2. Research the following items about your species. Although it is helpful, Wikipedia is NOT a source that you can cite as a reference. You can use it as a place to start but please find other resources for the bulk of your content. When you list your references, I expect to see a source of information other than Wikipedia.
Required Research for your Flyer:
1. At least 2 images of the Invasive Species / 42. Common name and Scientific Name (Genus species) / 2
3. Identify your species as Plant or Animal. / 1
4. Identify your species as an Aquatic or Terrestrial Pest. / 1
5. Give a physical description of your species (size, color, markings, etc.) / 6
6. Where is your species native to (i.e. Where is it from)? (Countries or Continents) / 4
7. Why is it a threat or problem in the United States? What are its “crimes?” / 10
8. Where does it occur in the United States? Include a map. / 4
9. How does it spread? / 4
10. How did it get to the United States? / 4
11. What are some ways its population might be controlled? / 6
12. Your name and class color on back of project / 2
13. Assignment sheet turned in with project / 2
14. Creativity / 10
Total / /60
Now create a “Most Wanted Flyer” with these requirements in mind:
• Your image should be front and center and clearly visible (no poor quality images)
• You should have a clear “WANTED” statement.
• Your required items should be presented clearly, along with a reference for where you found the bulk of your information.
• The layout of the flyer should be eye-catching, yet legible and understandable.
Grading: 60 points
• The rubric is listed above and MUST BE TURNED IN WITH PROJECT!!!!
• You can earn up to 10 points for creativity and neatness
Possible Species (pick one)
• Bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)
• Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)
• Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea)
• Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus)
• Common Reed (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.)
• Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis)
• Eurasian ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernua)
• European Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
• European crane fly (Tipula paludosa)
• European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
• Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
• Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle)
• Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. & Zucc.)
• Late blight (Phytophthora infestans)
• Northern Snakehead Fish (Channa argus)
• Round goby (Neogobius melanostomus)
• Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)
• Water Chestnut (Trapa natans L.)
• Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)