Invasive Species and Its effect on Bio Diversity
Invasive Species and It’s effect on Bio Diversity • Every animal species has a native habitat. On occasion, humans relocate a species, either through carelessness or with the intent of benefiting human beings, the species itself, and/or a new environment
Invasive Species Defined • 1) non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and • 2) whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health* *http: //www. invasivespecies. gov/
Bio Diversity Defined • 1) Bio diversity is the variety of life and its processes. • 2) It can be considered the fabric of life ––thousands of individual threads woven into a complex tapestry across the landscape. * *Oregon Bio Diversity Project
Why is bio diversity important to conserve? • Bio diversity is central to our quality of life. It supports natural resource industries that produce commodities such as fiber, fuel, food, and medicine, as well as recreational uses. * *Oregon Bio Diversity Project
SPECIES EXTINCTION • Species can become extinct: – Locally: A species is no longer found in an area it once inhabited but is still found elsewhere in the world. – Ecologically: Occurs when so few members of a species are left they no longer play its ecological role. – Globally (biologically): Species is no longer found on the earth.
Global Extinction • Some animals have become prematurely extinct because of human activities.
Endangered and Threatened Species: Ecological Smoke Alarms • Endangered species: so few individual survivors that it could soon become extinct. • Threatened species: still abundant in its natural range but is likely to become endangered in the near future.
Characteristics of Successful Invader Species • High reproductive rate, short generation time (r-selected species) • Pioneer species • Long lived Characteristics of Ecosystems Vulnerable to Invader Species • Climate similar to habitat of invader • Absence of predators on invading species • Early successional systems • High dispersal rate • Release growth-inhibiting chemicals into soil • Low diversity of native species • Absence of fire • Generalists • High genetic variability • Disturbed by human activities
Brazilian elodea • Introduced: From Pet Stores / Aquarium • Threat: Displaces aquatic vegetation. • Origin: South American
Zebra Mussel • Introduced: 1980’s Lake St Clair. Ballast Water of a boat. • Threat: Develop on anything a choke out native habitat & Organisms. • Origin: Russia
How bad are they really?
Clogging pipe
Possibly killing other organisms
Dragonfly Nymph or larvae
From covered to dead
Florida python problem
Eating a sheep
What’s next
Crown of thorns
Get onto coral and turn their stomaches inside out and digest the coral
Coral bleaching
Coral reef after bleaching
Silver perch
Why were these invasive? • Ate the larvae of other fish. The other fish were the staple in the community
Sea Lamprey • Discovered: 1865 Lake Ontario • Threat: Destroy Native Fish • Origin: Atlantic Ocean
- Slides: 31