Long Island Sound general information
What is a watershed?
A watershed is an area of land where water drains off to a common waterway.
What are invasive species?
Invasive species are species that come to a place that is not their Native habitat and often become overpopulated and harm the Native species in the area.
What is the most common way humans unintentionally bring over invasive species?
On the bottom of boats and ships.
Name 5 invasive species in the Long Island Sound.
(answers may vary)
What can people with boats and ships do in order to prevent invasive species?
Check the bottoms of their boats before leaving and after arrival, making sure there are no organisms on the sides.
What is an estuary?
An estuary is where the tide meets the stream.
Specifically, how are invasive species harmful to native life?
Invasive Species compete for food and resources, as well as eating native species. When this happens, entire food webs are messed up and it will cause certain species to overpopulate and some to decrease in population as well as creating a food shortage.
How does human population growth impact the spread of invasive species?
The more people, the higher demand for goods which means more ships coming into the Sound.
Tell me about the sea squirt.
Fast reproduction, Hard to remove, Live on surfaces and filter feed particles such as phytoplankton and bacteria, Many produce defensive chemicals (there are different types of squirts), Ruin man-made items such as docks and boat hulls, When there is enough of it, it gets increasingly heavy - increases fuel costs, Can fight aquaculture for food, causing favorable species to get less food, Unclear how they affect Native communities.
What can humans do to help?
If you see groups of unfamiliar creatures or growths on structures, report it.
Are invasive species capable of causing extinction?
Yes
Tell me about the Asian Shore Crab.
Came on ships from Western Pacific Ocean, They have reduced the number of Native crabs by as much as 99% in some parts, Migrate to the subtitle zone to avoid cold temperatures, Probably number in the billions from North Carolina to Maine