aliens among us invasive species and their influence on our world a lesson from the mathematics...
TRANSCRIPT
Aliens Among Us
Invasive Species and
Their Influence On
Our World
A lesson from the Mathematics & Science Center
Mathematics & Science Center
Aliens Among Us
Good Alien………
Just like in “Men in Black”
………Bad Alien
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Some aliens add beauty to the world…
Mute SwanCygnus olar
Courtesy Chesapeake Bay Program
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Some aliens add beauty to the world…
But they maycreate many problems for their habitat.
Mute SwanCygnus olar
Courtesy Chesapeake Bay Program
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Some aliens add beauty to the world…
But they maycreate many problems for their habitat.
Mute SwanCygnus olar
These swans feed on beds of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV’s), which are vital tothe ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay.
Courtesy Chesapeake Bay Program
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Some aliens do not cause many problems or
are worth any trouble they may cause:
“Eat More Chicken”
NO WAY!
Kansas Assoc. of Wheat Growers www.wheatonline.com
Ch
ris
Vog
el
Photo courtesy www.usda.gov
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Zebra MusselDreissena polymorpha
One of the more invasive of the invasive species, and one that has received lots of publicity is the
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They first appeared in the U.S. in theGreat Lakes and have since moved into many other
waterways.
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National Atlas of the United States U. S. Geological Surveyhttp://nationalatlas.gov/zmussels1.html
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National Atlas of the United States U. S. Geological Survey
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National Atlas of the United States U. S. Geological Survey
Mathematics & Science Center
National Atlas of the United States U. S. Geological Survey
Mathematics & Science Center
National Atlas of the United States U. S. Geological Survey
Mathematics & Science Center
National Atlas of the United States U. S. Geological Survey
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National Atlas of the United States U. S. Geological Survey
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National Atlas of the United States U. S. Geological Survey
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And now they’ve been found in Virginia!
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Millbrook Quarry
Courtesy of USGS
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Why are Zebra Mussels so bad?
So What’s the Big Deal?
1. Their SMALL size!
Charles RamcharanWisconsin Sea Grant
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Craig Czarnecki, Michigan Sea Grant
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Notice the baby zebrasattached to the adults
3. Easily transported by careless boaters
2. Their fast rate of reproduction
Ladd JohnsonNOAA/Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory
David DennisCollege of Biological Sciences, Ohio State University
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4. Harms other organisms
Clam and Crayfishcovered with Zebras
Ontario Ministry of Natural ResourcesGLSGN Exotic Species Library
Fred Synder, Ohio Sea Grant
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How Do Aliens Get Here?
By Land
By Sea
By Air
Or….. the number one answer is:
People
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How Do Aliens Get Here?Many of our aquatic aliens arrive in
ballast water
Courtesy MSC
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How Do Aliens Get Here?
Courtesy MSC
Mathematics & Science CenterCourtesy MSC
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Can you identify an alien by looking at it?
NO!
Martha Vogel
Martha Vogel
Courtesy MSC
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Can you tell whether an alien is good or badjust by looking at it?
NO!Courtesy Chesapeake Bay Program
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Research it:
1. The biology of the organism
2. The native habitat
3. The method of reproduction
4. Its natural enemies
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Signs that an alien might be an invasive:
•Fast growing and rapid maturity
•High reproductive rate – produces lots of seeds or offspring
•Can out-compete native species
•No natural controls
•Is harmful to other organisms
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End of Section One
Now you will work together to research an alien.