4 - Invasive Species Flashcards
(37 cards)
What is an invasive species
A non-native organism introduced (usually by human activity) into an environment where it doesn’t naturally occur, and where it causes or is likely to cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health
Key characteristics of Invasive Species (6)
Fast growth and rapid reproduction
Association with humans
Generalist behaviour
Strong competitors that outcompete native species
Lack of natural predators
Exploit unutilised resources and may introduce
harmful pathogens
Example - Fast growth and rapid reproduction
floating pennywort, zebra mussels
Association with humans
thrive in altered environments
Japanese knotweed, Argentine ant, giant hogweed
Generalist behaviour
can tolerate a wide range of conditions
brown rat, lionfish
Example - Strong competitors that outcompete native species
rhododendron
Example - Lack of natural predators or parasites, or spreads new parasites and pathogens that effects local species
grey squirrel, harlequin ladybird, brown tree snake in Guam
Exploit unutilised resources and…
may introduce harmful pathogens
Name five ecological impacts of invasive species (5)
Biodiversity loss
Habitat/ecosystem alteration
Hybridisation with native species
Evolutionary changes and speciation
Ecosystem changes and dominance
Example of biodiversity loss due to invasive species
brown tree snake in Guam causing bird extinctions
Two examples of habitat/ecosystem alteration
rabbits and cane toads in Australia
Example of hybridisation from invasive species
mallard ducks with native New Zealand and Hawaiian ducks
How have invasive species driven evolutionary change
Guppies in Trinidad caused evolutionary shifts and speciation
Example - Ecosystem changes and dominance
Lupines in Iceland
Two key economic impacts of invasive species
Crop loss (up to 100% in unmanaged fields)
Wildlife damage
Which species causes major agricultural economic loss
Colorado potato beetle; >$500 million/year in control costs
Example of wildlife damage by an invasive species
Domestic cats ($52 billion/year); extinct Lyall’s wren in NZ
Which invasive species affects human health
Asian tiger mosquito
What diseases does the Asian tiger mosquito transmit
Dengue, Zika, chikungunya, yellow fever
What are the 3 unintentional human-facilitated invasion pathways
International trade/shipping
Cargo/freight
Pet trade
Which species arrived via ballast water
Zebra mussels (North America)
How did the brown tree snake spread to Guam
Cargo and freight transport
wo examples of pet trade-related invasions
Lionfish (Caribbean)
Burmese pythons (Florida)
Three species introduced intentionally as ornamental plants
Japanese knotweed
Water primrose
American skunk cabbage
