150-200 Word Discussion

 Non-native,  alien, exotic, weedy, and invasive are all terms to describe plants or  animals that are introduced into an ecosystem where they are not usually  found. So what's the problem with invasive species? Let’s look at a few  examples. Invasive species currently impact half the species listed as  Threatened or Endangered in the U.S. One study estimates the total cost  of invasive species damage in the U.S. to be over $100 billion each year  (Pimentel, Zuniga & Morrison, 2005).  In the Great Lakes region of  the United States, invasive species that come from ballast water for  ocean vessels are estimated to cost $138 million a year in damage  (Rothlisberger, Finnoff, Cooke & Lodge, 2012). In the southeast, a  vine called kudzu grows voraciously over everything choking out other  plants, wildlife habitat, forestry plots, and even taking out powerlines  at the tune of over $500 million (Bettcher, n.d.).  The list of  examples and impacts goes on.

This week, we will explore the top global invasive species in your area, the damage they cause and what we can do to stop them. You  can either use a search engine to find invasive species in your area  (search for your state and invasive species) or you can visit: https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/resources/lists.shtml

• Find an invasive species in your area or somewhere you have been – a plant, animal, insect, fungus.


• Include the name of the species in the title of your post – before posting, make sure to check the list so that you do not choose the same species as your classmates!


• Identify your geographic location and research your chosen species


• Answer these questions: 
  
  
  
  • What is the common and scientific name (properly formatted)?
  
  
  • Where did it originate?
  
  
  • How did it get to your chosen location (speculate if you don’t know)?
  
  
  • What characteristics of the species makes it successful?
  
  
  • What are the affected native species (any plants, animals, etc.)?
  
  
  • What efforts are underway to prevent the spread of the species?
  
  
  • What is one thing you learned from this research?
  
  
  
  

For more information:

Wildlife Guide: https://www.nwf.org/educational-resources/wildlife-guide/

Feral/Wild Pigs: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5313597.pdf

Invasive Species: https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Threats-to-Wildlife/Invasive-Species

**Please use Texas as the state to choose from**