Invasive Species

What are Invasive Species A species that is not endemic to an ecosystem that often has negative effects on it. A species that is not endemic to an ecosystem that often has negative effects on it.

Invaders Usually a new species will not be able to survive in a new ecosystem. Usually a new species will not be able to survive in a new ecosystem. –Think of a polar bear in a rain forest –Or a Lion in the Arctic. However, If the new ecosystem is similar to the original habitat, the organism can thrive in it. However, If the new ecosystem is similar to the original habitat, the organism can thrive in it.

Success of Invaders Some factors/strategies are: Some factors/strategies are: –Out-competing the endemic species for natural resources –Use resources that were unavailable to endemic species –Lack of natural predators – Prey unable to defend themselves. –

How they get there Sometimes, the barrier between two ecosystems will be broken, allowing invasive species to enter. Sometimes, the barrier between two ecosystems will be broken, allowing invasive species to enter. Great Lakes at Niagara Falls Great Lakes at Niagara Falls Sometimes, humans will purposely introduce new species to regulate another. Sometimes, humans will purposely introduce new species to regulate another. –This is a very bad idea.

Cane Toads Introduced to Australia to eat Cane Beetles which were damaging crops. Introduced to Australia to eat Cane Beetles which were damaging crops. The Cane Toads started to eat EVERYTHING. The Cane Toads started to eat EVERYTHING. Since they were poisonous, Cane Toads had no predators Since they were poisonous, Cane Toads had no predators Worse still, the Cane Toads wouldn't even eat the Cane Beetles that they were intended to. Worse still, the Cane Toads wouldn't even eat the Cane Beetles that they were intended to.

Sea Lamprey Parasitic, blood sucking fish. Parasitic, blood sucking fish. Lamprey entered the Great Lakes when a canal was built around Niagara Falls Lamprey entered the Great Lakes when a canal was built around Niagara Falls These fish species could not defend against the lamprey, who drink their blood until death, then move on. These fish species could not defend against the lamprey, who drink their blood until death, then move on.

Zebra Mussels Brought to North America on transport ships from Europe Brought to North America on transport ships from Europe Small, sharp edged bivalves that cluster and cover surfaces of anything they can. Small, sharp edged bivalves that cluster and cover surfaces of anything they can. Difficult to remove, but readily reproduce. Difficult to remove, but readily reproduce.

Zebra Mussels

Asian Carp

Invasive to many parts of North America. Invasive to many parts of North America. Hardy fish that eat anything they can find. Hardy fish that eat anything they can find. Have a tendency to jump out of the water when scared, knocking people out of their boats. Have a tendency to jump out of the water when scared, knocking people out of their boats.

What can we do? Stop breaking the barriers between ecosystems. Stop breaking the barriers between ecosystems. Stop introducing new species on purpose. Stop introducing new species on purpose. Tighten shipping and transport regulations between countries. Tighten shipping and transport regulations between countries. Don’t release animals into the wild. Don’t release animals into the wild.