Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Exotic an Invasive species summary

Exotic and Invasive Species


The introduction of exotic or invasive species greatly affects the ecosystem, and the biodiversity of that region. These species are introduced in multiple ways, such as, intentionally releasing exotic or invasive species to hunt for sport. As well as, accidentally and unknowingly transporting an organism to a habitat it will thrive on but destroy the ecosystem. Exotic an invasive species are very harmful to local food webs and ecosystems, because they will try to fill a niche that is already filled in that ecosystem by another animal. These foreign species pose a serious issue to the environment and those who live in it.
Exotic an invasive species are released in one of two ways either on purpose or not. Those who release their pets or other numbers of exotic species intentionally do so for either the sport of hunter whatever species they released, or they just can’t handle their pets and so they release them. This is a dilemma because, not only is that kind of hunting illegal an immoral, it will cost you a hefty fine as well. Also the invasive species will adapt to their new environment, for example, North African and Burmese Pythons can now be found the Everglades in Florida. This is very foreboding because now we have exotic and dangerous species prowling where they weren’t before and they are taking the place of other organisms in the food chain.







Another way exotic an invasive species are released is accidentally. This could happen, for example, by travelling from foreign areas back to the dock or port you sailed to can even be a cause. An example of this is the Zebra Mussel which attaches to the ship and when it docks some fall off or are in the ships ballast which will later be released; they destroy ecosystems by mass reproduction an overconsumption of the accessible food source. Another form of unintentional introduction is the accidental spreading of a plant into the wild. All of these have negative effects on the environment and ecosystems in which this is occurring.
The introduction of exotic species is an issue we must stop. If this is not stopped then ecosystems and habitats will be ravaged and destroyed. We must prevent this from happening. Invasive an exotic species is a huge issue which needs some solutions. These foreign species pose a serious issue to the environment and those who live in it.






Here is the story of the pic above..Of the Gator and Python..Wildlife researchers with the South Florida Natural Resources Center found the dead, headless python in October 2005 after it apparently tried to digest a 6-foot-long (2-meter-long) American alligator. "Clearly if [pythons] can kill an alligator, they can kill other species," Frank Mazzotti, a University of Florida wildlife professor, told the Associated Press. "There had been some hope that alligators can control Burmese pythons. … This [event] indicates to me it's going to be an even draw."





8 comments:

  1. I agree with you, people need to take extra precaution in what they do to prevent other species that could potentially harm or disrupt the ecosystem. One major problem in the food chain is that if one thing changes, it does not only affect the first animal but it also affects every animal or consumer after that.

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  2. I agree as well, but I also believe that the food chain will not be disrupted as much as everyone believes. Look at the animals that have arrived over time and just moved into the food chain. I feel these species can and will do the same. With not hearing much about these species until now, I believe that it will not hurt the environment and ecosystem very much.

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  3. In regards to your second article, is there anyway to prevent or lessen the amount of the zebra mussels from accumulating on the bottom of the ships?

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  4. Jenn and Marcus have both brought up relevant points on the issue of invasive species. They could both present research to back their comments. My question is, how do we (as a society or maybe scientists) decide what would harm any given environment and what wouldn't? Is there anyway to figure this out? Also, once an invasive species came into an area, how do you go about getting rid of it without harming the environment?

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  5. It is very true that some animals can adapt to a different ecosystem. However , more times than not, there is already an organism in the ecosystem that fills the niche that the newly adapted species is trying to fill as well. This leads to intense competition for food, land, and most of all survival. Just like dominoes, a food chain and ecosystem can start a snowball affect after the invasion of an exotic species.The first goal in removal of undesired invasive species is clearly, identifying the threat and then removing it with the least ammount of collateral damage to the environment.

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  6. In my opinion, these species are not going to be able to be removed. The amount of these species is increasing severely. It would take years to remove the species, so in order to help our environment we could possibly think of other ways to help. The new animals that have entered our environment have been entered into the food chain as well. Basically what I am trying to say is that, If these new species effect the food chain then where do they get their food? They obviously have to from some where or else they would die.

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  7. They can remove the undesired species, but carefully such as using a natural predator of it to eliminate them where not wanted. Vigilance is also a key to detecting and stopping invasive species. I see what you mean, but the ecosystem was stable before the introduction of the invasive species and the new invading species will try and fill a niche in the ecosystem that is already filled by a native species. For example pythons that have been accidentally or purposefully introduced into the Everglades in Florida now prey on alligators and the prey of alligators. which will make it hard to compete for food for the gator and therefore eventual will suffer serious threats because they can't get the food they used to before the other species was introduced. It is possible for removal and relocation of these species,but it is very difficult and costly. However it is illegal to own invasive species and exotic species without the proper permits and most pet owners dont have them, there is a fine that is definetly a deterrent. The problem is so epic the Zoos hold a no questions asked exotic species turn in.

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  8. To reply to Mrs. Bierfeldt's comment earlier there is a very long an arduous task to determine a species invasive and then getting rid of them. The government passed a law that says vigilance is one of the most important things in preventing invasive species. The public is urged to call animal control if they see an odd animal thats not familiar to them, The only way to discover if the species is invasive is by observing native species of animal an plants and when you discover an issue or anomaly then you may have run across an invasive specie. The way of removing them must be natural or the least hazardous to the environment. Here is the link to that bill and the ways to id invasive species and what to do about them.

    http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/laws/execorder.shtml

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