Download Activity One

ACTIVITY ONE (1):
A.
General
What are invasive species?
An invasive species is a non-native species including seeds, eggs, spores, or other
propagates whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic harm,
environmental harm, or harm to human health. The term "invasive"; is used for the most
aggressive species. These species grow and reproduce rapidly, causing major
disturbance to the areas in which they are present
B. What are some of the general ecological problems of
invasive species? Pests can damage plants in many different ways. Pests
can cause direct damage, such as tunneling by wood boring insects can led to
the death of the plant, or indirect damage, where the injury inflicted by the pest
weakens the plant and renders it susceptible to other stress factors. They can
endanger our environment. Since invasive species are in a new environment, they
are free from natural predators, parasites, or competitors, and they often develop
large population sizes very quickly. These massive populations can win
competition against, displace or kill out native species or can reduce animal&
mammals food and habitats. Some also have the potential to disrupt vital
ecosystem functions, such as the flow of water, nutrient cycling, or soil
decomposition. Other invasive species cause massive amounts of economic
damage to the agricultural business by destroying crops and contaminating
produce with poisons. Some invasive species can cause direct harm to man or
animals.
C.
What is the economic importance of invasive species?
The United States suffers from $1.1-120 billion per year in economic losses due to
exotic, invasive species.
ACTIVITY TWO (2):
The 3 major invasive species in Central MA are:
1. Purple loosestrife The United States suffers from $1.1-120
billion per year in economic losses due to exotic, invasive species.
2.
3.
Common reed
Eurasian water milfoil.
You need to find:
A.
B.
C.
D.
1, 2
Where it came from
How were they introduced?
Ecological problems
Threat to indigenous species
E.
1.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
2.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
3.
A.
B.
C.
Economic problems
D.
E.