Lecture 1: Key Biodiversity Concepts

Question 1

_____ is a species that evolved in a certain geographical area

Answer 1

Native

Question 2

_____ (introduced, non-native, exotic): species introduced deliberately or accidentally from a different geographical area.

Answer 2

Alien

Question 3

___ is a species that spread subsequent to establishment affecting ecosystems and causing economic, biodiversity and/or ecological losses.

Answer 3

invasive

Question 4

_____ is agricultural or horticultural crops

Answer 4

cultivated

Question 5

_____ is plants escaped from cultivation

Answer 5

Feral/volunteer

Question 6

_______ tends to refer to species that have negative economic impacts on agriculture, forestry or otherwise adversely affect human interests.

Answer 6

Weeds

Question 7

______ is native in Canada but invasive in Europe following the introduction as ornamental.

Answer 7

Solidago canadensis (Canada goldenrod):

Question 8

_____ is native to Europe but invasive in North America.

Answer 8

Alliaria petiolata (Garlic mustard)

Question 9

Know the 9 IUCN conservation status ranks

Answer 9

Extinct (EX)
Extinct in the wild (EW) 
Critically endangered (CR) 
Endangered (EN) 
Vulnerable (VU)
Near threatened (NT)
Least concern (LC) 
Data deficient (DD) 
Not evaluated (NE)

Question 10

What plant species in known to be critically imperiled in Ontario?

Answer 10

Opuntia humifusa

Question 11

What plant species in known to be possibly extirpated in NA?

Answer 11

Cuscuta warneri

Question 12

Percentage of threatened or endangered
species imperiled by:

Habitat degradation and loss

Invasive species

Pollution

Overexploitation

Answer 12

85%, 49%, 24%, 17%`

Question 13

How do invasive species impact native species?

Answer 13

Can be competitors, parasites or hosts for diseases.

Can modify the habitat.

Can promote spread of other invaders.

Question 14

What is the estimated annual costs associated with invasive plants in Canada

Answer 14

2.2 billion

Question 15

True or False: 25% of all canadian flora is invasive.

Answer 15

True

Question 16

What is number one reason for intentional introduction of invasive plants?

Answer 16

Agricultural crop

Question 17

What is number one reason for non-intentional introduction of invasive plants?

Answer 17

With other plant products, contaminants in seeds

Question 18

What percent of the plant species in Canada are the result of a deliberate introductions?

Answer 18

58%

Question 19

What are the 6 characteristics of a invasive species?

Answer 19

high reproductive potential
fast growth
good competitors
high tolerance to a wide range of environmental conditions
very good at dispersal
thrive in habitats with a degree of disturbance

Question 20

What are the 3 stages of invasion?

Answer 20

Introduction (transport)

Establishment

Spread

Question 21

_______ (garlic mustard) was introduced in N America as a culinary herb from Eurasia at the end of 19th century

Answer 21

Alliaria petiolata

Question 22

What are the characteristics of Alliaria petiolata?

Answer 22

Biennial
Resistant to shading; plants remain green in the winter after the 1st year
Allelopathy

Question 23

____ are a perennial plant invasive to wetland habitats, 2 million seeds per plant that can be easily distributed.

Answer 23

Lythrum salicaria, Purple loosestrife

Question 24

What invasive plant can cause phytophotodermatitis in humans and is dispersed by water

Answer 24

Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)

Question 25

What asexual reproducing plant is perennial and invasive in grasslands?

Answer 25

Taraxacum officinale- Dandelion

Excellent dispersal