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Invasive Species. Group 1 TIP Susan Cosgrove Tim Hale Robin McLean. What is an invasive species?. Exotic Species are species that occur outside of their natural ranges because of human activity (1).
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Invasive Species Group 1 TIP Susan Cosgrove Tim Hale Robin McLean
What is an invasive species? • Exotic Species are species that occur outside of their natural ranges because of human activity (1). • An exotic species becomes invasive when it becomes established in its new environment and out competes native species (1). • Does anyone have an example of a invasive species?
Types of invasive species • Animals • Plants • Pathogens
What is the problem with an invasive species? • Can cause an imbalance in the natural environment (1).. • Out compete native organisms • Change abiotic factors • Threaten agriculture • Endanger the health of plants and animals
How do invasive species travel? • Humans • Wind • Water
Humans- Can simply carry a organism. • Some invasives can stow away on a ship or plane. • Wind- Seeds can be carried great distances. • Water- Organisms can be transported on natural “rafts”
Examples of Invasive Species: • Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) • Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) • Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus) • Lionfish (Pterois spp.)
Zebra Mussel(2) • Originally from the Caspian and Black Sea. • Introduced to the Great Lakes in 1988. • Cause many problems: • Can harm other fresh water mussels • Can block intake pipes for power plants • Can cause problems for recreational activities.
Zebra Mussel Zebra mussels Covering a Crayfish (3b) Zebra Mussel showing bysall threads(3a)
Giant Hogweed(2) • Native to Eurasia • Introduced to the United States in 1917. • Originally used as an ornamental plant • It out competes other plants for resources. • It produces a toxic sap.
Giant Hogweed Hogweed (4) Giant Hogweed Video(4)
Asian Tiger Mosquito(2) • Originally from Asia. • Introduced to Hawaii in the late 1800’s. • Continental United States in 1985. • Can be a vector for disease. • Ex. West Nile Virus
Lionfish(2) • Native to the Pacific Ocean • Introduced to the water around the United States in 1992 through the aquarium trade. • Preys on native species. • Has poisonous spines.
Lionfish (6) Lionfish video(6)
What can you do? Obey the rules. Do not transport plants and animals when you travel. Never release pets into the wild. Learn about invasive species in your area for identification. Use native plants.
Invasive species watch in New Jersey: • The brown marmorated stink bug (7) Halyomorpha halys
Invasive species watch in Virginia • The emerald ash borer (8) Agrilus planipennis adult larvae
Invasive Species watch in Maryland • The northern snakehead (9) Channa argus
References 1. Primack R. 2006. Essentials of Conservation Biology. fourth Ed. pp. 225-235. 2. USDA. 2009. National Agriculture Library. National Invasive species Information Center. http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/animals/main.shtml 3. a. http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/critter/invert/images/zmussel2.jpg b. http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/critter/invert/images/zmussel1.jpg 4. http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/hogweed.shtml 5. http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/animals/asiantigmos.shtml 6. http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/aquatics/lionfish.shtml 7. http://njaes.rutgers.edu/stinkbug/about.asp 8. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/environmental/eab_general.htm 9. a. http://www.mdinvasivesp.org/species/vertebrates/Northern_Snakehead.html b. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/Northern_Snakehead_face.jpg