Name Date Hr Invasive Species Every animal and plant species has a native habitat, or environment where it naturally and normally lives and grows. Humans sometimes relocate a species, either by accident or on purpose. 1. What do you think might happen if a species is moved out of its native habitat and into a new environment? Non native species refer to plants, animals, fungi or other organisms that have been accidentally or purposefully introduced to an area outside of their origin. The term non native can be used interchangeably with the terms alien, exotic, introduced, and non indigenous. Introducing a non native species to a new ecosystem can have negative consequences the species may become an invasive species, or a species that causes harm to the new environment. 2. Brainstorm a list of reasons people relocate species. Read the article below from the Missouri Department of Conservation Magazine Shoot 'em on sight Why are feral hogs a problem? These domestic hogs gone wild degrade wildlife habitat and private property, compete with native wildlife for food, and can pose a threat to humans, pets and domestic livestock through the spread of disease.
They spread devastating diseases to people, livestock and pets In other states, feral hogs are known to carry diseases such as swine brucellosis, pseudo rabies, trichinosis and leptospirosis. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control reported that several hunters contracted Brucella suis infection as a result of field dressing kills made in the southeastern part of the nation. They destroy habitat and young wildlife Just like their domestic cousins, feral hogs spend a lot of time rooting and wallowing. This behavior contributes to soil erosion, reduces water quality and damages agricultural crops and hay fields. It also destroys sensitive natural areas such as glades, fens and springs. Hogs have a keen sense of smell and are opportunistic feeders. They forage heavily on acorns, competing with native species such as deer and turkeys for this important fall food. They commonly eat the eggs of ground nesting birds and have been reported to kill and eat fawns. How did the problem arise? Several counties south of I 44 have had feral hogs roaming the countryside since the days of open range. These populations were isolated and kept in check by local hunting efforts. The situation took a wrong turn in the 1990s when hog hunting for recreation began to gain popularity. Groups started raising and promoting European wild boar as a form of alternative agriculture and for hunting on licensed shooting areas. It wasn t long before many of these hogs escaped or were intentionally released on public land. Because feral hogs are highly adaptable and prolific breeders, their numbers started growing at an alarming rate. By 2000, the Conservation Department was receiving damage complaints from private landowners. Today feral hog populations are established in over 20 south Missouri counties and sightings of feral hogs occur across the state. How can we fix the problem? Controlling feral hogs is difficult. Populations are small, isolated and usually found in the remote, rugged terrain of the Ozarks, making locating and harvesting the hogs tricky. Adding to the problem of eradication is a growing occurrence of illegal hog releases across the state. There is hope, however. Concentrated shooting and trapping efforts by state and federal employees, private landowners and recreational hunters have brought some success. And while most outdoor enthusiasts do not target feral hogs specifically, opportunities exist for deer, turkey and other hunters to harvest hogs while pursuing other game. Overall, private landowners are taking care of their own property. Help is needed to control hogs on public lands. In Missouri, feral hogs may be taken in any number throughout the year. During most of the year, no permit is required and any method (including baiting and the use of dogs) is allowed. However, special restrictions apply during the fall firearms deer and turkey
seasons. Refer to the current Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations for specific information. The Conservation Department asks that all hunters who encounter a feral hog shoot it on sight. Doing so will reduce the feral hog population and keep the spread of this destructive pest in check. Answer the following questions about the MDC article above. 3. Why are feral hogs considered invasive? What problem do they pose to Missouri s ecosystem? 4. Why and how did feral hogs get released into the wild? 5. How does MDC suggest we fix the feral hog problem in Missouri? 6. Do you think the shoot em on sight order is proper? Here are common reasons species get introduced into new habitats. People accidentally move them; for example, through transportation or trade, or by moving firewood from one location to another. People purposely introduce them to help control a native species that is considered a pest; for example, to control pests that destroy crops. People import ornamental plants to buy or sell. People import animals as pets. 7. Which of these reasons are preventable? Examples of invasive animal species in the United States. European Starling: This bird was part of an effort to introduce to the U.S. all of the birds mentioned in the works of Shakespeare. Burmese Pythons: These snakes are imported into the United States as pets. In the Florida Everglades, released or escaped pythons have established themselves in the wild. Snakehead Fish: This fish was released into the wild from fish markets and has established a population in the wild.
Zebra Mussel: This mussel attaches itself to boats, and has spread because of boats moving between different bodies of water. Go to the Missouri Department of Conservation Invasive Species Site. http://mdc.mo.gov/discover nature/field guide/invasive species Click on Invasive Animal Management. Answer the following questions. 8. What makes a species invasive? 9. What's the difference between "invasive" and "nuisance" species? 10. Record 5 animals that are considered invasive in Missouri. 11. Choose one animal and describe why it is considered invasive in Missouri. Examples of other invasive plant species in the United States. Kudzu: This plant is a climbing vine native to southern Japan and southeast China. Its growth is out of control in the Southeastern United States. Andean Pampas Grass: This grass is native to the northern Andes, but is now a common weed near the California coast. Yellow Starthistle: This plant was introduced into agricultural fields in California and is now found in almost all 48 continguous United States. Go back to the Missouri Department of Conservation Invasive Species Site. http://mdc.mo.gov/discover nature/field guide/invasive species Click on Invasive Plant Management. 12. Record 2 plants that are considered invasive in Missouri.
13. Choose one plant and tell how it got introduced into Missouri. Go to the National Invasive Species Information Center website to find examples of other invasive species. http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/ Answer the following questions. (Look at the left and right columns in blue.) 14. Record 5 other invasive species that have not been mentioned yet. 15. Why should we have native species? 16. When do we use non native species? 17. What are the ecological, economic, and social impacts of invasive species? (can be general or specific) 18. List 3 ways to prevent invasive species?
Choose 3 plant, animal, or insect invasive species and use the Missouri Department of Conservation website or the National Invasive Species Information Center website to answer the following questions. Species 1 Name: 19. Mark on the map where you can find your species (include all locations if there are more than one). 20.Describe your species habitat, including at least 5 biotic and 5 abiotic factors. 21.Describe how your species was transported. What direction is your species spreading? 22.What is the full area of spread today? (Where can you find your species today?)
23. What is being done to lessen the impact of your species? Species 2 Name: 24. Mark on the map where you can find your species (include all locations if there are more than one). 25.Describe your species habitat, including at least 5 biotic and 5 abiotic factors. 26.Describe how your species was transported. What direction is your species spreading? 27.What is the full area of spread today? (Where can you find your species today?)
28. What is being done to lessen the impact of your species? Species 3 Name: 29. Mark on the map where you can find your species (include all locations if there are more than one). 30.Describe your species habitat, including at least 5 biotic and 5 abiotic factors. 31.Describe how your species was transported. What direction is your species spreading? 32.What is the full area of spread today? (Where can you find your species today?)
33. What is being done to lessen the impact of your species?