New Species Introductions

Ecological Niche Ecological niche – an organism’s role in the ecosystem; everything it does to survive. includes habitat, trophic level, breeding area, time of day most active, how it reproduces, etc. No two species have the same niche. This reduces competition.

Owl vs. Hawk Both the owl and the hawk live in the forest and feed on the same organisms (mice, moles, rabbits, etc).

has poor eyesight; great hearing The owl and hawk do not compete because they have different ecological niches. Owl Hawk short, wide wings hunts in forest has poor eyesight; great hearing active during night long wings hunts in meadows has very good eyesight active during day

New Species Introductions When a new species enters an ecosystem, it causes a disturbance. Why? The new species will compete with species already in the ecosystem for food and space.

Exotic Species exotic species – a species that has been introduced to an ecosystem – not naturally found there also called invasive or alien species native species – a species that is naturally found in an ecosystem

Causes of New Species Introductions Natural Introductions Human Introductions - Animals are mobile; they can wander from one ecosystem to another - Plant seeds can be blown by wind or taken by animals that move when humans travel on ships, planes, walking sometimes on purpose for decoration to help environment to gain money

Consequences Sometimes exotic species grow too much in numbers. They compete with many native species. Native species go extinct. This reduces the biodiversity of the ecosystem.

African Bees Brazil, 1957 honey producers introduced wild African bees, which are more aggressive than native species thought they would produce more honey

African Bees did produce more honey, but… wiped out native species led to an overall decline in honey production “killer bees” swarm and attack animals (also humans) no natural predators, so numbers increased a lot 1986, spread to Mexico; 1990 to Texas, and continue to move north

Killer Bees Documentary

Cane Toad

Cane Toad Introduced to Australia in 1935 as a way to control the cane beetle (a pest) cane beetles ate sugar cane crops in Australia cane toad was used in the Caribbean and Hawaii to destroy the beetle…the government wanted to try them in Australia

Cane Toad had no impact on beetle population bred like flies (can lay 33 000 eggs per spawning) develop faster than native frog species so outcompete for food no natural predators (poisonous) – whatever eats it dies eats everything (insects, mice, dog food, native frogs)

Cane Toad Documentary

Do we have any invasive species in Southern Ontario? Exotic Species Activity: We are going to get in groups of 4 and learn about some invasive species right here in our local environment Asian Long-horned Beetle Zebra Mussels Garlic Mustard White Nose Syndrome