Iconic Invasive Species in Our Wonderful Watershed

Invasive species

100

What is an invasive species?

Any plant or animal that has been introduced or spread to an ecosystem where it could cause harm to the health of an environment, animals, or plants

200

Name one of the invasive species we talked about today.

Zebra Mussels, Round Goby, Sea Lamprey, Japanese Knotweed

300

Name a 2 characteristics of Invasive species.

1. Non-native to the environment 

2. Fast-growing and reproducing species

3. Lack of natural predators in the environment that will slow their spread

4. Lack of defense systems in the native host species

400

What invasive species is this?

Round Goby

500

Invasive species often have no natural ones of these to keep their population under control.

Predators

Examples

100

What color is the Round Goby?

Brown

200

Where is Japanese Knotweed native to?

East Asia

300

How did Round Goby's get into the Great Lakes?

Ballast waters from Europe

400

Name one native fish most affected by Sea Lamprey's

1. Trout

2. Whitefish

3. Perch

4. Sturgeon 

500

Why are Zebra Mussels harmful for power generation and water treatment facilities?

They block intake pipes

Effects of invasive species

100

True or False: Invasive species can spread quickly and take over their new environment.

True

200

This term describes when an invasive species takes resources from native species, often causing their decline

Competition

300

How could invasive species impact a food web?

They can change the composition and abundance of species in the food web.

400

How do invasive species impact native species?

1. Competition

2. Changes in the food web

3. Decreased diversity of species

4. Loss of resources

500

Name 2 examples of how invasive species can alter a habitat

1. Water depletion

2. Soil composition

3. Disruption of ecological processes

4. Physically

Stopping the Spread

100

How are invasive species spread?

Humans! (Ex. Ballast Water, Crates, Released pets, fishing bait, canals)

200

When choosing between Swamp Milkweed or Japanese Knotweed which should you plant in your backyard?

Swamp Milkweed

300

What should you do if you see an invasive species in the wild?

Report it to the USDA's animal and plant health inspection service or your state's department of natural resources

400

If you go out fishing what should you do after to stop the spread of invasive species?

Clean and inspect your equipment before leaving OR do not release your bait into the water

500

What could you do in your local community to stop the spread

Volunteer at local parks or nature centers