Challenge 20/20 Presentation

The University School of Milwaukee

General Information• Last year:

o Biodiversity, alternative energy and water reclamation in post industrial areas 

• This year:o Changes in biodiversity within Lake Michigan,

specifically in terms of invasive species and low water quality

Borna vs. Milwaukee• While we found similarities in our cities, we addressed more

specific problems within our regiono Borna: Energy Crisis

Transition from coal-mining town to more efficient forms of energy 

o Milwaukee: Pollution of Lake Michigan/Runoff Retention ponds, bio swales, gardens,

underground repositories, urban gardens, rain barrels and green streets

German Exchange Students• Exchange trip this fall, plus future trips• Simmilarities between our school and those in both Borna

and Leipzig, Germany• Gives us a new perspective on issues that may not

nessisarily be controversial in our area. • Chance to exchange information with teens our age in a

different part of the world

Effects on Native Species    • Invading species often compete

with native ones for the same resources

• Can lead to ousting of native species

• Native and invading species can share a niche

• fundamental to realized nicheo e.g. barnacles

Asian Carp History•  Native to China and other parts of Southeast Asia• Have been cultivated for aquaculture for more than 1,000 years• Catfish farmers in the U.S. imported Asian carp to eat up algae

o were also imported into the southern United States to keep aquaculture clean and to provide fresh fish for fish markets

• Now, the fish have slowly escaped into the wild and have been making their way up the Mississippi River. 

• They are eating machines that can decimate entire ecosystems.Here are the 4 different types of Asian Carp:Bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)Black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus)Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

 

• Harmful to many types of animals because of the Asian carps consumption of low level food chain organisms such as planktono Birdso Insectso turtleso etc.

• Consumption of macrophytes andmacroinvertebrates

 

Asian Carp's Effects on Other Fauna

Asian Carp RisksEcological Risks:• can decrease of native mussels and other invertebrates• can reduce recruitment and abundance of native fish• black carp reduce abundance of mussels and snails• silver carp tend to jump out at people and hurt them severely

 Threats to Great Lake: Some believe that if invasive species of carp enter the Great Lakes, the multi-billion dollar recreational fishing, hunting and tourism industry will be devastated   • can hurt Great Lake communities that depend on fisheries for its economy

(fisheries are valued at 4.5 billion dollars annually)• can decrease economic value to communities that benefit from hunting

Asian Carp Video

Response Efforts• Increased eDNA (Environmental DNA) monitoring  • An electrical barrier system 

o Due to safety concerns and monetary problems, this barrier is still largely disputed and not operating at full capacity.

• Chemical controls • Fish harvesting 

Effects of biodiversity loss on humans• Vulnerability to natural disasters, global warming

• Already limited, but large amount of species• Rely on freshwater•  Ecosystem Services:

o protection of water resources, pollution, stability, maintenance of ecosystems, recovery

• Biological resources:o food, medicine, breeding stocks, future resources,

diversity• Social benefits

o Research and education, recreation and tourism, cultural values

Why Should We Care?

Ethics: • Is the preservation of property rights

and free trade worth the destruction of our ecosystems

o Politicians from both sides of the political spectrum criticise the use of tax-payer money for something they falsly percieve as threat-less.

Economics:• Impacts infrustructure• Organisms (such as the

Zebra Mussel) can cause direct damage to industry

• Decrease of Fishing and Tourism industries

• Billions Spent in Remediation and Prevention

 

Why 20/20?• Forms bonds with students from across the globe• Gives students from all grades the opportunity to research a

problem they see in their world and attempt to find a solution• You have a long time to complete the project (due in late

January at the earliest, May at the latest)• Some past projects have really made a difference• Shows students that they have the power, as teenagers, to

help their communities as well as those around the world• It is an incredibly fun, while rewarding, experience