Invasive Species

Question 1

indigenous species; naturally migrated/found here

Answer 1

Native Species

Question 2

species brought over from other areas that coexist with native flora and fauna

Answer 2

Introduced Species

Question 3

are there more introduced or native species on Guam?

Answer 3

INTRODUCED - colonization & bad regulation

Question 4

species only found in one area as it evolved in isolation, so there is a narrow distribution putting them more at risk of extinction

Answer 4

Endemic Species

Question 5

What is the significance of trees?

Answer 5

• their own organism
• habitats
• ecosystem services (make O2 and cycles CO2; protects waters from runoff)
• mangroves (protect land from ocean forces)
• some are culturally important (Taotaomona trees; medicinal properties)

Question 6

how can we protect native trees?

Answer 6

• get rid of invasive plants
• plant more (but time/conditions)
• plant introduced tree to fix damage then remove and replant
• law regulations (hard to monitor)

Question 7

Favorable factors for Guam’s high biodiversity

Answer 7

• lots of rainfall
• tropical climate (high temp)
• lots of endemic species (unique)

Question 8

Unfavorable factors for Guam’s high biodiversity

Answer 8

• tiny (little land for support)
• isolated
• vulnerable endemic species

Question 9

• ornamental plant
• fast production/growth = out competes natives
• shallow root system (weak against storms, but bounce back)

Answer 9

African Tulip Tree

Question 10

• armed scale insect 2003
• spread in limestone forest 2005
• decimated cycas micronesia (plant)
• sprays horticultural oil

Answer 10

Cycad Aulacaspis Scale

Question 11

• top threat to biodiversity
• impacts humans
• control methods still being studied

Answer 11

Little Fire Ant

Question 12

• large, aggressive, painful sting 2016
• yellow band on abdomen
• build nests in hollow trees, protected areas, underground

Answer 12

Greater Banded Hornet

Question 13

• agricultural pests 1943
• health risk to humans
• threaten native snails
• vector for rat lungworm

Answer 13

Giant African Land Snail

Question 14

• devastated native populations (birds, bats, lizards)
• impacted native plant populations (loss of pollinators)
• natural insect control decreased impacting agriculture

Answer 14

Brown Tree Snake

Question 15

• produce many seeds (spread by birds, wind, water)
• resilient in most soil types
• climbs in tree canopies and blocks sunlight from reaching understory

Answer 15

Coral Vine, Chain of Love

Question 16

• Tumon Bay 2007, spread everywhere
• bore into palm crowns and feed on sap, chewing meristem and killing it
• reproduce in decaying organic matter (tree trunks, stumps, compost, soil)
• possible solutions - mesh nets, pheromone traps, chemical means

Answer 16

Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle

Question 17

• aggressive climbing ability; strangling young establishing plants
• high seed distribution, colonization, regeneration

Answer 17

Mile a Minute Vine

Question 18

• introduced after WWII to stabilize soil
• reproduce year round, forms dense thickets
• decrease soil quality
• used to feed livestock, good BBQs

Answer 18

Tangantangan

Question 19

• destructive disease affecting bananas
• spread by banana aphids
• kill aphids then plant to stop spread
• infected plant can’t produce fruit, only spreads virus

Answer 19

Banana Bunchy Top Virus

Question 20

• widespread green algal bloom along E/S shores 2014
• harm aquatic life with off nutrient levels

Answer 20

Angel Hair Alga

Question 21

• biocontrol for African Land snail in 1943
• didn’t work bc fed on endemic snails
• thrives in humid conditions, leaf litter, moist soils
• stalk prey by following chem in mucus tracks
• killed by hot water, quarantine imported plants

Answer 21

New Guinea Flatworm