Download invaders!

INVADERS!
Exotic Invasive Species
What is an invasive species?
• A native or indigenous species is one
that occurs naturally in a given ecosystem.
• Non-native species (also called nonindigenous, exotic, or alien species)
are introduced into an area where they
don’t normally live.
• An invasive species is a non-indigenous
species that overruns or out-competes
native species, and causes economic or
ecological problems.
Native species:
• Are adapted to a specific niche in their
ecosystem.
• Are part of the food web in their
ecosystem.
• Have natural predators and competitors
that keep their numbers in balance.
Exotic species:
• May not have natural controls in the new
ecosystem – for example, no freezing
period in the winter or no predators.
• Are usually tolerant of a wide range of
conditions instead of a narrow niche.
• Usually have high rates of reproduction.
Invasive species:
• Can out-compete native species for food,
water or space.
• Can out-reproduce native species.
• Can survive in greater numbers because
they have no predators or natural controls.
• Can cause tremendous problems in native
ecosystems.
• Are usually very difficult to eradicate.
How do they get here?
They can be intentionally introduced.
Our state flower, the camellia, is
native to Southeast Asia, China,
and Japan.
Peach trees are Asian and were
brought to America by early colonists.
Satsumas are tangerines from
Asia brought over in 1876.
They can be introduced
accidentally…
• in ship ballast water
• wooden packing material and
horticultural plants.
• aquaculture
• escaped exotic pets can be a
problem.
• sometimes storms can transport
an organism to a new habitat.
Aquatic species are often carried in
ballast water.
Zebra mussels
Australian jellyfish
Spiny water fleas
Green crabs
Round goby
New Zealand mudsnail
Japanese mitten crab
Asian green mussel
Ballast Water Dissemination
Why do we care about invasive
species?
• Habitat destruction is the number one
cause of extinction and the loss of
biodiversity.
• Invasive species are the Number
Two cause of extinction and loss
of biodiversity!
• You can do your part to control the
spread of invasive species.
What can you do?
• Grow native plants.
• Never transport water, animals, or plants
from one body of water to another. Clean
your boat and tackle.
• Don’t release unwanted pets into the
environment.
What can you do?
• Don’t release unwanted pets into the
environment.
• Never carry fruit, seeds, live plants, soil, or
animals in or out of the area.
• Help eradicate invasives in your
community.
Some Invasives in Alabama
More Alabama Invasives
• Chinaberry tree: introduced in packing
material and utilized as an ornamental
• Mimosa: introduced from Asia and
prevalent in forest borders and
riparian areas.
• Cogon grass: introduced into Mobile
as packing material and sold as an
ornamental grass. Totally destroys
native ecosystems.
The best and most cost-effective
way to deal with the effects from
invasive species is to
PREVENT INVASIONS
BEFORE
THEY OCCUR.
For Help
AMSTI-GLOBE
www.amsti.org/globe
The GLOBE Program
www.globe.gov
Lynn Vaughan
Jerry Cobbs
AMSTI-GLOBE
Resource Specialist
[email protected]
AMSTI-GLOBE
Technology Specialist
[email protected]
Robin Nelson
AMSTI-GLOBE
Administrator
[email protected]