Invasive Species
This human activity often causes invasive species to spread, as it introduces materials such as construction debris or waste into new environments.
What is transportation (e.g., moving dirt, equipment, or waste between locations)?
These species contribute to the depletion of local biodiversity by replacing native plants and animals, leading to less food and shelter for specialized species.
What are invasive plant species?
What simple action can boat owners take to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species?
What is clean, drain, and dry their boats.
What is the term for the gradual process by which an invasive species becomes more suited to its new environment?
What is adaptation
What is one way to prevent the spread of invasive species when traveling?
What is cleaning shoes and gear before traveling to new locations?
This snake, native to Southeast Asia, has invaded the Everglades and threatens native species like birds and small mammals.
What is the Burmese Python?
Invasive species can harm ecosystems by competing with native species for food, space, or sunlight. This is called ___.
What is competition?
What is the recommended method for hikers to stop spreading invasive plant material?
What is to clean off dirt and plant material from equipment and clothing.
This term refers to the gradual change of a species over time as it adapts to its environment, often seen in invasive species as they interact with new ecosystems.
What is evolution?
What is one way humans can prevent the spread of invasive species through agricultural practices?
What is using native plants?
Which fast-growing vine native to Asia has taken over large areas in the southeastern U.S. and is commonly referred to as the "vine that ate the South"?
What is Kudzu.
Invasive species like the European Starling compete with native birds for nesting sites, leading to a decline in native bird populations. This disrupts the balance of what?
What is biodiversity?
What should campers do with firewood to prevent the spread of invasive species?
What is buying firewood locally and not transporting it.
When an invasive species arrives in a new environment, it may experience rapid evolutionary changes, particularly in this process, where individuals better suited to the new environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
What is natural selection?
In the effort to save native species, what type of specialized reserve, free from invasive species, is often created for conservation purposes?
What is a protected area or sanctuary?
This aquatic invasive species from Asia has clogged waterways in North America, impacting shipping and local ecosystems.
What is the Zebra Mussel?
When invasive species, such as certain non-native plants, displace native plants, they can disrupt this mutually beneficial relationship between plants and pollinators, leading to a decline in both.
What is mutualism?
This method involves monitoring ecosystems regularly to detect and manage new invasive species before they become widespread.
What is "early detection and rapid response"?
Some invasive species evolve traits that help them thrive in disturbed habitats. This is known as ___ selection.
What is r-selection.
Invasive species, like the emerald ash borer, are causing these kinds of losses in forests and ecosystems.
What is biodiversity loss?
This form of human-created environmental issue involves the spread of pollutants through air, water, and soil, significantly altering ecosystems and harming native species.
What are invasive chemical pollutants (e.g., oil spills or heavy metals)?
This aquatic ecosystem service is often severely impacted by invasive species like zebra mussels, which can block this important function and degrade water quality.
What is filtration?
What does the "PRISM" acronym stand for in invasive species management?
What is Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management.
This butterfly species has adapted to feed on milkweed, despite the plant’s defense mechanisms.
What is the monarch butterfly?
The idea that with great power comes this, which emphasizes the responsibility humans have to maintain balance in ecosystems.
What is great responsibility?