General: Invasive Species
What do we call a species that is not native to an area and causes harm to the environment?
Invasive Species
What lake was the Nile Perch introduced to?
Lake Victoria in Africa
How big can the African giant snail grow?
8 inches long
Where did zebra mussels originally come from?
Eastern Europe (Poland), Western Russia
What does Ms. Annie allow us to have when we are done with all of our work and there's still time before the end of class?
Free Period
True or False: All non-native species are invasive.
False
What happened to many native fish species after Nile perch were introduced?
200 cichlid species went extinct and fish population numbers have dropped drastically.
What do African giant snails eat that makes them harmful to agriculture(aka farm life)?
They eat over 500 types of plants (fruits, vegetables and orientals)
True or False: Baby mussels/clams are called veliger.
True. Veliger also means larvae.
What is the definition of an ecologist?
A person who studies ecology (the study of relationships between living organisms and their environment)
What is one way invasive species spread to new areas?
On purpose/accidental human activity (travel, shipping, trade)
Why was the Nile perch introduced in the first place?
To increase fish production/commercial fishing
What are the names of the islands in the CNMI that are affected by the African Giant Snail?
Saipan, Tinian, Rota & Pagan
How were zebra mussels introduced to North America?
Ballast Water (global shipping routes)
When are Science Projects (Scientific Method/EDP) due?
February 10-13, 2026
What can happen to native species when an invasive species moves into their habitat?
Lose food sources, space in their environment, go extinct, etc..
How did the introduction of Nile perch affect local communities?
It made it difficult for locals to fish on their own (food source)
How can African giant snails harm humans directly?
They carry parasites (rat lungworm) and can cause allergic reactions on sensitive skin
Why are zebra mussels a problem for water systems and native species?
They clog pipes and outcompete native mussels (attach themselves to mussels and affect their way of eating & breathing)
What is the definition of biotic and abiotic factors? (list 2 examples for each)
Why are invasive species so successful in new environments?
They have no natural predators and they can spread easily or resproduce quickly
How were the Nile Perch introduced to Lake Victoria?
The government of Africa introduced the Nile Perch to Lake Victoria on purpose without anyone knowing
Why can't we introduce predators in the CNMI to get rid of the African Giant Snails?
It will cause a cascade of invasive species (meaning it will do more harm than good)
How big are Zebra Mussels?
They can grow up to the size of a person's fingernail.
What is the definition of the word habitat?
An animal's natural home/natural environment