1. New Species Introductions

2. 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.

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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

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

10. 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

11. Killer Bees
Documentary

12. Cane Toad

13. 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

14. Cane Toad had no impact on beetle population
bred like flies (can lay 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)

15. Cane Toad
Documentary

16. 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