Invasive Species (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Flashcards
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Define invasive species.
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Cards in this collection (16)
Define invasive species.
Invasive species are organisms introduced by human activities that live and thrive outside their natural habitat and threaten native species, disrupt ecosystems, or cause economic harm.
Why can the populations of invasive species often grow unchecked?
Invasive species frequently lack natural predators in their new environment, so their populations can grow unchecked.
True or False?
All non-native species are invasive species.
False.
Only non-native species that cause harm are invasive; some non-native species, such as certain crops and livestock, are beneficial.
Many invasive species are generalist, species, so they reproduce quickly and adapt well to new environments.
Many invasive species are generalist, r-selected species, so they reproduce quickly and adapt well to new environments.
How does competition from invasive species harm native species?
Invasive species outcompete native species for food, space, and other resources; for example, Asian carp consume so much plankton that little food is left for native fish.
True or False?
Native species usually have effective defenses against invasive predators.
False.
Native species lack evolved defenses against new predators; for example, the introduced Indian mongoose preyed on native birds and reptiles on tropical islands.
How can invasive plants make a habitat unsuitable for native species?
Invasive plants can transform habitats; for example, prickly pear cactus turned vast areas of Australian grassland into dense, impenetrable thickets.
Why are diseases carried by invasive species so damaging to native species?
Native species have no immunity to the new diseases or parasites; for example, chestnut blight from Asia wiped out nearly all American chestnut trees.
How can invasive species reduce the genetic diversity of native species?
Invasive species can hybridize with native species, as when invasive rainbow trout hybridized with native cutthroat trout in the western U.S.
When is physical removal of an invasive species most effective?
Physical removal is most effective for small populations, but it is difficult for large-scale invasions.
Define biological control.
Biological control is introducing natural predators, parasites, or diseases to control an invasive species.
True or False?
Biological control carries no risk to other species.
False.
If not carefully managed, biological controls can harm non-target species.
What are the risks of using chemical control on invasive species?
Pesticides, herbicides, and poisons can harm native species and pollute water.
Strict regulations for ships help prevent the transport of invasive aquatic species.
Strict ballast water regulations for ships help prevent the transport of invasive aquatic species.
How does habitat restoration help protect ecosystems from invasive species?
Restoring native ecosystems, such as by replanting native vegetation, makes them more resilient against invasive species.
Which three factors must invasive species control methods balance?
Control methods must balance effectiveness, environmental impact, and cost.
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