2011 2: Invasive Species

Question 1

Southern Ontario’s habitat

Answer 1

was significantly altered by Europeans upon settlement BY: Clear cutting, agriculture, dams, urbanization

Question 2

The result?

Answer 2

vast changes in plant and animal populations/locations

Question 3

how many species at risk in ON?

Answer 3

not many!

Question 4

Biodiversity

Answer 4

refers to both the number of species and the genetic diversity within the population of each species. We are concerned because we want to maintain biodiversity; it is important to the ecosystem as a whole. Some species have become extinct, many are threatened and some have recovered to some degree.

Question 5

Global elements of biodiversity?

Answer 5

There are many, many species that are GLOBALY significant elements of biodiversity in the great lakes basin.

Question 6

4 categories?

Answer 6

Critically impaired, impaired, rare, and apparently secure

Question 7

what is on that list of global elements of biodiversity?

Answer 7

120 species on this list 14 are critically impaired (many of them are species you haven’t even heard of) and there are about 9 things that are secure.

Question 8

non native species

Answer 8

ny animal or plant found outside its normal range is said to be a non-native species (not all non-native species are invasive)

Question 9

what happens when a non native species is able to reproduce and maintain a population in an introduced environment?

Answer 9

it is said to be NATURALIZED

Question 10

how many non native aquatic species have been introduced into the Great Lakes over the last 200 years?

Answer 10

163 at least

Question 11

what percentage of introduced species are plants?

Answer 11

60% (example: purple strife)

Question 12

what percentage are fish/intervertebrates

Answer 12

40%

Question 13

what does introduction of exotic species do?

Answer 13

can change aquatic and terrestrial habitats

• Complex communities are disrupted and can result in a loss of biodiversity

Question 14

characteristics of aquatic INVASIVE species

Answer 14

• few natural predators
• adaptable
• reproduce quickly
• thrive in disturbed systems
• compete for food and habitat

Question 15

how do invasive species get here?

Answer 15

• ballast water (thats how zebra mussels got here: in a boat from Europe)
• canals and changes to waterways
• intentionally introduced (they messed up: did this intentionally but put in carnivorous smelt - put in the wrong kind!!)
• accidentally introduced (like the asian carp: came by way of fish farms: issue was when the mississipi river flooded into the fish farms!)
• climate change (were seeing less severe winters! something that would normally kill a particular bug) CLIMATE CHANGE CHANGES WHERE THINGS CAN LIVE!
• floods
• releases
• bait fish ( sea lampreys, or could have been through shipping canals)

Question 16

arguments between illinois and indiana?

Answer 16

about blocking rivers to prevent the spread of invasive species