1. ECOLOGY Introduction of Species

2. Kudzu
kudzu was introduced into the south in the late 1800s from Japan to prevent erosion
growth is rapid (up to a foot a day!)

3. Does this look familiar?

4. Rabbits in Australia

6. rabbits were introduced into Australia for game hunting in the mid 1980’s
24 rabbits introduced; within 10 years, 2 million could be killed and have no impact on the numbers
rabbits have caused the extinction of many plant and animal species and seriously threaten others (the wombat)

7. a fence was built to control the spread of rabbits, but it was unsuccessful

8. a virus was introduced, but the population quickly recovered (some were resistant)
rabbit fleas were introduced
the cost to control the rabbits - $600 million
today, land owners are legally bound to control rabbits on their property

9. The Damage Caused by the Rabbits

10. Zebra Mussels native of Russia
the zebra mussel probably came to the US on ships and was accidentally introduced in the Great Lakes in the mid-late 1980’s as larva
they reproduce rapidly, taking food from native species and clog water drain pipes
cause damage to boats

11. Zebra Mussels

12. Spread of Zebra Mussels in the US

13. Mongooses in Hawaii
mongooses were introduced to control rat populations (rats aren’t native to Hawaii either) that overran sugar plantations
mongooses have run the state bird, the Nene to the brink of extinction; at one time there were only 50 birds in the wild

15. The Nene of Hawaii