INVASIVE SPECIESStoykov, SavaSmilova, MihaelaKaramihalev, Marin10/8

What are invasive species? A species that is not native(alien) to an

area that causes environmental and/or economic harm when introduced to it.(1)

Are all “alien” species harmful?

Not all “alien” species are invasive(2) Some can actually be beneficial for their new

environment Examples: Many agricultural products such as -Tomatoes- South America -Corn -North America to Europe -Many more

What makes an “alien” species invasive?

Rapid reproduction(3)- invasive species are generally r-selected

Toleration to diverse habitat conditions Have no natural enemies in the new

bioregion they are introduced to Highly competitive for resources

What ecological problems do invasive species cause? Displace native species Reduce productivity of the bioregion Alter processes in the ecosystem Introduce new diseases to the region

Economic problems caused by invasive species (4)

Mostly problematic for agriculture: - harmful to productionSouth African lovegrass – destroys pastures

in Brazil, damaging cattle industry. Losses estimated: $30 million per year

Common Methods of Introduction (5)

Intentional introduction - releasing “back into the wild”- Bringing in new species with a set purpose Unintentional introduction:- Usually caused by humans moving from one

place to another and bringing different species along

- Often sea and ocean species are transported in the ballast water of ships.

Myocastor coypus aka Nutria (11)

A nutria is large, rat-like rodent, which lives near lakes and wetlands.

It originated in South America, but due to releases from fur farms there are large populations scattered over North America, Europe and Asia.

Nutria burrow below the banks of rivers and lakes causing them to become unstable. They also feed on young shoots of marsh plants, which tends to lead to erosion in coastal habitats.

Preventing Introduction Most common method-Laws!

E.g.quarantine when entering a new country

Ecological evaluation of consequences Personal Solutions(6):- Gardening: if you don’t know it, don’t grow it!- Fishing: never from one water source to another!- Pets: careful what you buy- Travelling: take care when introducing organic

stuff into a new country

After introduction? (7)

Eradication!!!- oftentimes costly Introducing a natural enemy Chemical control Mechanical control (by hand) Ecosystem management

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<http://www.invasivespecies.org/resources/DefineIS.html>.2. Definition, By. "Introduced Species." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 05 Dec. 2010.

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<http://www.ucsusa.org/invasive_species/what_you_can_do/what-you-can-do-to-prevent.html>.7. Simberloff, Daniel. "Introduced Species: The Threat to Biodiversity & What Can Be Done

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8. Web. 12 Dec. 2010. <http://www.sarracenia.com/faq/faq4200.html>.9. "Argentina, Mendoza, Tomato Harvest Stock Photo Image." SuperStock - The Best in Stock Photography, Vintage

Photos and Fine Art Images. Web. 12 Dec. 2010. <http://www.superstock.com/stock-photos-images/1898-19715>.10. Southern ACT Catchment Group. Web. 12 Dec. 2010. <http://www.sactcg.org.au/>.11. (http://www.synergy.co.nz), International Limited. "Issg Database: Ecology of Myocastor Coypus."IUCN/SSC Invasive

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