BIOL 102 Chapter Notes - Chapter 20: Invasive Species, Ecosystem Diversity, Pterois
What is an invasion species?
● An invasion species
o Non-native species spread far beyond the original point of introduction
o Causes environmental or economic damage by colonizing and dominating various
habitats
● Invasive species typically exhibit an opportunistic life history pattern
● Natural limiting factors (biotic or abiotic) are absent
● Ex. Lionfish
o Native to Indonesia and South Pacific
● Cheat grass
o Invasive species in the western U.S.
o Covers > 60 million acres of rangeland
▪ Formerly dominated by native grasses and sagebrush
o Produces seeds earlier and in greater abundance than native species
o Forms highly flammable brush, creating fires that native plants cannot tolerate
● Burmese pythons
o Set loose in South Florida, deliberately or accidentally
o Now abundant in South Florida, eating native species of
▪ Birds
▪ Mammals
▪ Reptiles
▪ Amphibians
● Kudzu (vine like plants)
Chapter 20 : Communities and Ecosystems
What is biodiversity?
● Genetic diversity
o Varying traits that make adaptation to different environments possible (microevolution)
● Species diversity
o Natural environment is balanced
o Loss of species can disrupt ecosystems
● Ecosystem diversity
o All living organisms and their physical environment
o Directly or indirectly impact human population
o What are the causes of declining biodiversity?
● Ecologist have identified four main factors responsible for the loss of biodiversity
o Habitat destruction and fragmentation
o Invasive species
o Pollution
o Overexploitation
What is community ecology?
o Assemblage of species living close enough together for potential interation=community
o Biotic environment
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Document Summary
An invasion species: non-native species spread far beyond the original point of introduction, causes environmental or economic damage by colonizing and dominating various habitats. Invasive species typically exhibit an opportunistic life history pattern. Natural limiting factors (biotic or abiotic) are absent. Lionfish: native to indonesia and south pacific. Invasive species in the western u. s: covers > 60 million acres of rangeland. Formerly dominated by native grasses and sagebrush: produces seeds earlier and in greater abundance than native species, forms highly flammable brush, creating fires that native plants cannot tolerate. Burmese pythons: set loose in south florida, deliberately or accidentally, now abundant in south florida, eating native species of, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians. Genetic diversity: varying traits that make adaptation to different environments possible (microevolution) Species diversity: natural environment is balanced, loss of species can disrupt ecosystems. Ecologist have identified four main factors responsible for the loss of biodiversity: habitat destruction and fragmentation.
