1. Invasive Species Audrienna Ramsey Audrienna Ramsey Melanie Hernandez Melanie Hernandez Benny Hernandez

2. What are Invasive Species? Invasive Species are multi-cellular living organisms such as plants, animals, fungi, and even a organisms seed or egg that is NOT native to the ecosystem they are inhabiting. Invasive Species are multi-cellular living organisms such as plants, animals, fungi, and even a organisms seed or egg that is NOT native to the ecosystem they are inhabiting.

3. How do Invasive Species Spread? The spread of invasive species is often caused by unintentional human activity. The spread of invasive species is often caused by unintentional human activity. Human transportation of goods and services can lead to uninvited organisms into a existing ecosystem. Human transportation of goods and services can lead to uninvited organisms into a existing ecosystem.

4. Why are they a threat? Prey on native species Prey on native species Compete with existing native species for space and resources Compete with existing native species for space and resources Can carry disease that cause environmental harm to existing species or humans. Can carry disease that cause environmental harm to existing species or humans. Some invasive species can change the conditions in a ecosystem, such as soil chemistry or intensity of wildfires. Some invasive species can change the conditions in a ecosystem, such as soil chemistry or intensity of wildfires.

5. Examples of Invasive Species West Nile Virus: Spread through mosquitoes with the virus. Has become a potentially fatal disease for humans and animals. West Nile Virus: Spread through mosquitoes with the virus. Has become a potentially fatal disease for humans and animals. Water Hyacinth: A water plant that is often mistaken as harmless for its beauty. Forms dense matts Water Hyacinth: A water plant that is often mistaken as harmless for its beauty. Forms dense matts European Green Crabs: Crabs that out-compete native species and eat large quantities of shellfish European Green Crabs: Crabs that out-compete native species and eat large quantities of shellfish

6. Possible Solutions Plant native plants and remove any invasive plants in your garden. Plant native plants and remove any invasive plants in your garden. Learn to identify invasive species in your area Learn to identify invasive species in your area Clean equipment that you use outdoors to avoid spreading invasive species Clean equipment that you use outdoors to avoid spreading invasive species

7. References http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife- Conservation/Threats-to-Wildlife/Invasive- Species.aspx http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife- Conservation/Threats-to-Wildlife/Invasive- Species.aspx http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife- Conservation/Threats-to-Wildlife/Invasive- Species.aspx http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife- Conservation/Threats-to-Wildlife/Invasive- Species.aspx