Download Invasive Species

THE STATION FIRE
Started in August 2009
Cause: Arson
Burned 230 square miles or 160,
557 acres of the Angeles
National Forest and surrounding
areas including Pasadena,
Glendale, La Canada Flintridge
and La Crescenta
Issued many areas to evacuate
Creates steep burned basins,
which, with rainfall, can cause
dangerous flash floods.
EFFECTS ON WILDLIFE
Aquatic life: some types of fish
in the creeks were greatly
effected because of ash in
the creek
Ex. Speckled dace fish
Lots of native plants burned
that are essential for the
ecosytem
Cause many invasive species
to appear
Many volunteer trying to take
out the invasive species,
which disrupt ecosystem.
WHAT IS AN INVASIVE SPECIES?
An animal or plant introduced into an environment not native to that plant or animal
Is not like animals in zoo or pets
Is referring to wild plants or animals outside in forests, etc.
Can harm an ecosystem and natural resources
Can cause the extinction of native plants or animals and alter the habitat
INVASIVE SPECIES AFTER STATION
FIRE
Tamarisk
 Native to the drier areas of
Eurasia and Africa
 Sprouts rapidly after a fire
 Increases fire frequency
 hogs the light, water and
nutrients, allowing little to go
native plants near it
Tree Tobacco
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Native to South America
Contributes to flooding
Toxic to humans and animals
Can cause deformities in
animals that eat the plant
Castor Bean
 Native to parts of Asia and
Africa
 Seeds of the plant are
highly toxic to humans and
many other animals
 Increases chance of fire
 taking the nutrients from
the soil away from other
plants
Tocolote
 Native to Spain
 Certain animals eating
this plant for a long time
can develop diseases.
 Reduces seed production
in other plants
GETTING RID OF INVASIVE SPECIES
• Pulling and Digging
• Pull out seedlings or shallowrooted plants
• For plants with longer roots, use
shovel or other tools to dig out
the plant
• Plant Poisoning
• Usually done for shrubs or trees
• First cut the stump and leave 46 inches
• Then, spray herbicide
• Herbicide: destroys unwanted
plants
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP?
Have your parents contact the Glendale Parks and Recreation
Volunteer with your family at a wilderness park like Deukmajian and help
water plants and weed the unwanted ones
Have your parents contact the US department of Agriculture
Don’t start fires without proper training and supervision