What is competition?
To enlarge the pictures click on them.
Water Hyacinth One small water hyacinth plant can grow to become a mat of floating vegetation covering almost 6,500 square feet.
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Fire AntsTheir repeated bites cause nasty welts, and their mounds can wreck a beautiful lawn in no time.
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SalamandersDeadly Fungus could threaten the state's salamander population.
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The effect of invasive species on native species can be profound, yet very little is known about the complex interaction between the invaders and the native species, or, perhaps more importantly, between multiple invaders and native species .A species is invasive when it is both nonnative to the ecosystem in which it is found and capable of causing environmental, economic, or human harm. Invasive species often compete so successfully in new ecosystems that they displace native species and disrupt important ecosystem processes. Plants, fish, insects, mammals, birds, and diseases all can be invasive. Often, invasive species owe their success in colonizing new ecosystems to one or more of the following characteristics:
They tolerate a variety of habitat conditions
They grow and reproduce rapidly
They compete aggressively for resources (like food, water, and nesting sites)
They lack natural enemies or pests in the new ecosystem
They tolerate a variety of habitat conditions
They grow and reproduce rapidly
They compete aggressively for resources (like food, water, and nesting sites)
They lack natural enemies or pests in the new ecosystem
Level 4 Guiding Question: What types of competition do natives as well as invasive employ to survive?
Click on the button below to find out more about California's invasive species list. Scan the list and chose 5 invasive species that has caught your eye and briefly select 3 traits they have and explain why those characteristics make them a an outlaw species. Pleas post your results on our google classroom public comment.
Level 4 Investigation: flip cards
Wildlife ID Flash Cards
The flash cards provided within this publication will help students identify common California invasive species. All of the species listed in the publication are found either listed in the California Invasive species website or the Slews Flash card.
Studies have shown that repetition is the most effective form of learning. Flash cards remain one of the simplest and most successful tools for engaging students in the learning process. Flash cards allow stu- dents to take advantage of brief periods of time throughout the day (e.g., car rides) because they can easily be taken anywhere. Flash cards also enable students to “compete” with themselves or against peers in a group setting. Use the California Invasive species website to make flash cards by cutting the dotted lines and folding the papers where indicated. Students are encouraged to print these cards using a color printer or draw them.
THE CONTEST
While most specimens retain their coloration for decades, some may fade over short periods of time. To ensure students are prepared for these subtle changes, flash cards were developed using pictures of specimens that will be displayed on the day of the contest. Information about how to identify a particular species is listed on the back of each flash card. The most important characteristics used for identification are always listed first. Students will only be responsible for identifying specimens shown in the photos. Students will be allowed to gently handle specimens to view important features needed for positive identification. Students will be required to identify 5 invasive species. Students will have 3 days to make assemble and upload the project to our google classroom.
The flash cards provided within this publication will help students identify common California invasive species. All of the species listed in the publication are found either listed in the California Invasive species website or the Slews Flash card.
Studies have shown that repetition is the most effective form of learning. Flash cards remain one of the simplest and most successful tools for engaging students in the learning process. Flash cards allow stu- dents to take advantage of brief periods of time throughout the day (e.g., car rides) because they can easily be taken anywhere. Flash cards also enable students to “compete” with themselves or against peers in a group setting. Use the California Invasive species website to make flash cards by cutting the dotted lines and folding the papers where indicated. Students are encouraged to print these cards using a color printer or draw them.
THE CONTEST
While most specimens retain their coloration for decades, some may fade over short periods of time. To ensure students are prepared for these subtle changes, flash cards were developed using pictures of specimens that will be displayed on the day of the contest. Information about how to identify a particular species is listed on the back of each flash card. The most important characteristics used for identification are always listed first. Students will only be responsible for identifying specimens shown in the photos. Students will be allowed to gently handle specimens to view important features needed for positive identification. Students will be required to identify 5 invasive species. Students will have 3 days to make assemble and upload the project to our google classroom.
Level 4 Video : VDOs
Watch the VDO on the left first so you know why invasive species can be a problem environmental and financially.
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Level 4 Elaborate: native vs Invasive
You and your lab partner (groups of 2-3). Each group will have a sample study to read and present their findings to the class. You may use online resources to aid in their research. You should have the following:
Native location and introduction - What is the location of the sample study and how would you introduce the sample study?
Impacts - What impact has the invasive specie had on the environment, native species, and resources?
Control - What efforts are being taken to control the invasive specie populations?
You will have to present orally, via powerpoint, or using a visual aid such as a poster.
Print out the sample study you want to do!
Native location and introduction - What is the location of the sample study and how would you introduce the sample study?
Impacts - What impact has the invasive specie had on the environment, native species, and resources?
Control - What efforts are being taken to control the invasive specie populations?
You will have to present orally, via powerpoint, or using a visual aid such as a poster.
Print out the sample study you want to do!
Level 4 Review: natives vs Invasives
Read the instructions for the research paper you will be doing by yourself. Turn it into your google classroom,
Level 4Summary: Uint Test
Will post the test on the day of.