Invasive Species Flashcards
indigenous species; naturally migrated/found here
Native Species
species brought over from other areas that coexist with native flora and fauna
Introduced Species
are there more introduced or native species on Guam?
INTRODUCED - colonization & bad regulation
species only found in one area as it evolved in isolation, so there is a narrow distribution putting them more at risk of extinction
Endemic Species
What is the significance of trees?
- 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)
how can we protect native trees?
- 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)
Favorable factors for Guam’s high biodiversity
- lots of rainfall
- tropical climate (high temp)
- lots of endemic species (unique)
Unfavorable factors for Guam’s high biodiversity
- tiny (little land for support)
- isolated
- vulnerable endemic species
- ornamental plant
- fast production/growth = out competes natives
- shallow root system (weak against storms, but bounce back)
African Tulip Tree
- armed scale insect 2003
- spread in limestone forest 2005
- decimated cycas micronesia (plant)
- sprays horticultural oil
Cycad Aulacaspis Scale
- top threat to biodiversity
- impacts humans
- control methods still being studied
Little Fire Ant
- large, aggressive, painful sting 2016
- yellow band on abdomen
- build nests in hollow trees, protected areas, underground
Greater Banded Hornet
- agricultural pests 1943
- health risk to humans
- threaten native snails
- vector for rat lungworm
Giant African Land Snail
- devastated native populations (birds, bats, lizards)
- impacted native plant populations (loss of pollinators)
- natural insect control decreased impacting agriculture
Brown Tree Snake
- produce many seeds (spread by birds, wind, water)
- resilient in most soil types
- climbs in tree canopies and blocks sunlight from reaching understory
Coral Vine, Chain of Love
- 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
Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle
- aggressive climbing ability; strangling young establishing plants
- high seed distribution, colonization, regeneration
Mile a Minute Vine
- introduced after WWII to stabilize soil
- reproduce year round, forms dense thickets
- decrease soil quality
- used to feed livestock, good BBQs
Tangantangan
- destructive disease affecting bananas
- spread by banana aphids
- kill aphids then plant to stop spread
- infected plant can’t produce fruit, only spreads virus
Banana Bunchy Top Virus
- widespread green algal bloom along E/S shores 2014
- harm aquatic life with off nutrient levels
Angel Hair Alga
- 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
New Guinea Flatworm
