AP Invasive Species
AP BIO
Describe three different factors that contribute to the success of invasive species in an ecosystem.
Invasive species have no natural predator keep a check on their population size.
Invasive species are typically r-selected allowing them to reproduce quickly in large amounts.
Invasive species do not have any limitations in terms of resource availability which gives them an endless supply.
Discuss three ways that an invasive species can affect its new ecosystem.
Invasive species can change habitats in terms of population. Invasive species can freely expand and cause overpopulation.
Invasive species can also directly affect available resources for other organisms such as living areas and food.
Invasive species can decrease biodiversity in a region by decreasing competition and preventing another species from being able to successfully compete with the new invasive species.
The map indicates the spread of the red fire ant after its initial entrance into the United States at the port of Mobile, Alabama. Discuss two environmental factors that might have determined the pattern of fire ant invasion.
1. The map indicates the spread of the red fire ant after its initial entrance into the United States at the port of Mobile, Alabama. Discuss two environmental factors that might have determined the pattern of fire ant invasion.
Temperature may have been a major factor in determining the pattern. High temperatures of the south and the west may have enabled to the expand quickly.
Additionally, because of many factors unlimited resources and areas to capitalize on led fire ants to freely expand and dominate their ecosystems as the dominant ants.
Discuss two possible methods of eradicating or slowing the spread of these ants, including the environmental consequences of each method.
Pesticides may be effective in eradicating ants in terms of physically killing them with toxins. However, these toxins could also negatively affect other plants and organisms killing them off too and reducing biodiversity.
Additionally, a predator that eats fire ants could be introduced into the ecosystem. However, this risky option risks limitless unforeseen consequences such as the predator eating other organisms and hurting the environment. A clear example of this would be the Cane Toad in Australia. Additionally, if it does eliminate fire ants, these predators may kill/eat other organisms as well.