Introduced Species Unit 3.3

Species that are natural to an area Species that are not natural to an area they are transported into the area by tourists seeds stuck on ships, cars, traveler’s shoes can help or have no effect on ecosystem An introduced species that causes harm high reproduction rate are aggressive competitors have no predators

Invasive Species in BC, 2014

Invasive species can damage/remove native species from an ecosystem in 4 ways: Competition Predation outcompete native species for resources grow really fast roots choke roots of native species if the native species have never been hunted before, they lack the adaptations to survive predation

Predation Invasive species of rat hunts on a native bird’s eggs, causing the bird population to decline. The invasive bullfrog hunts mice, which have never been hunted before by bullfrogs and thus lack natural defense mechanisms.

Invasive species can damage/remove native species from an ecosystem in 4 ways: Competition Predation outcompete native species for resources grow really fast roots choke roots of native species if the native species have never been hunted before, they lack the adaptations to survive predation Disease and Parasites if native species have never been exposed to foreign diseases and parasites before, they can get wiped out detrimental if keystone species affected

Disease and Parasites A parasitic fungus. Its spores was transported on the fur of an invasive animal. The native trees have never been exposed to this before, and so are very susceptible to the attack.

Invasive species can damage/remove native species from an ecosystem in 4 ways: Competition Predation outcompete native species for resources grow really fast roots choke roots of native species if the native species have never been hunted before, they lack the adaptations to survive predation Disease and Parasites Habitat Alteration if native species have never been exposed to foreign diseases and parasites before, they can get wiped out detrimental if keystone species affected invasive species can change light levels change soil chemistry by releasing toxic compounds upset natural nutrient cycling

Habitat Alteration This particular aquatic weed grows so fast it covers the surface of the water, blocking sunlight for life below.

Habitat Alteration This wetland weed excretes toxins from its roots that disintegrates the roots of plants growing near it, thereby conquering more territory.

http://bcinvasives.ca/invasive-species/identify/invasive-species/ A photo album on BC’s invasive species. Check it out 