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What is an exotic
species?
What is an invasive
species?
Do you know any
examples?
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Organisms that have either intentionally or
accidentally been released into this country
that are (non-native)
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Invasive SpeciesExotic organism that
takes over an
environment and
disrupts the community
by out-competing or
destroying native
species.
Overall negative impact
to ecosystem.
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Also known as the vine
that ate the south- can
grow 1 foot a day.
Introduced from
Vietnam in the southern
US to control erosion.
Quickly got out of
control and spreads
150,000 acres annually.
Negative Impact: Chokes
out native plants
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Imported
from Asia for
food and
algae control
Can grow to
100 lbs and
jump 10 feet
out of the
water.
What impact
do they have
on the
environment?
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Asian Carp Video
Turn a Negative into a positive
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Introduced by that
guy to try and
make silk
Defoliate trees,
leaving them weak
and eventually they
die
All over NE US
Eat 1 square foot per
day per bug
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Occurs in every state
except Florida
Forms dense coverage of
wetland habitat that
displaces native veg and
is of a lesser nutritional
value
Each plant can produce
up to 3 million seeds per
year!
Introduced for
ornamental and
medicinal purposes and
STILL SOLD TODAY!
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A fungus transported from
an Asian nursery delivery
Devastated all American
Chestnut Trees in early
1900s. 1 in 4 hardwood
trees in the Appalacian
Range used to be an
American Chestnut, but
they are all gone
Enters the tree through
wounds and cracks and
quickly spreads killing the
tree.
A few small trees survive,
but are eventually killed.
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Introduced by
Shakespeare
enthusiasts in 1890
Outcompetes native
species and destroys
crops
Spreads rapidly,
extremely successful
in North America
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Introduced
accidentally around
the summer of 1998,
possibly on container
ship from Asia.
First seen in US in
Allentown, PA
No natural predators
because of the smell
and distaste to other
animals
Negative Impact:
Agricultural pest and
indoor pest (seeks
warm during cold
weather).
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Attack and eat a
variety of
ground nesting
animals
Spread via
mating flights
and accidentally
by humans
Video
Electricity
Raft
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Mollusk from Russia
Has invaded the Great
Lakes
Negative Impact:
Clogs drains and
covers beaches, boats,
and other animals.
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Vector- This is the medium
(method) through which an
invasive species gets to a
location.
Vector?
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Released by pet
owners that can’t
handle them.
Everglades
similar to home
environment.
Negative Impact:
Outcompete the
top predators.
Python v. Gator
Video
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What is an invasive species?
How is it different from an exotic?
What is a vector?
Give 3 examples.
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Before the bell rings…start on this below.
In your notes, write down and describe at least
4 ways you would control an invasive species
in your area? Be creative.
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Manual
Chemical
Biological
Cultural
APHIS-Animal Plant Health Inspection Service
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Rapidly reproduction
Not many (if any) limiting factors
Outcompete native species for resources
No “natural” predators in new environment.
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Read the following article and answer the questions
about the snakehead fish. Please do this on your
own. You have about 10 minutes.
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Video of Snakehead Fish
Sightings in US since 1997 by USGS
Video of Snakehead v. Large Mouth Bass