HONORS BIOLOGYMRS. STEWART

CENTRAL MAGNET SCHOOL

Keystone and Non-Native Species

WHEN YOU’VE MASTERED THIS YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:

PREDICT HOW A SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE

MAY LEAD TO THE EXTINCTION OF A

PARTICULAR SPECIES(SPI 3210.2.6)

CLE 3210.2.3: Predict how global climate change, human activity, geologic events,

and the introduction of non-native species impact an ecosystem.

WHEN YOU’VE MASTERED THIS, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:

MAKE INFERENCES ABOUT HOW A SPECIFIC

ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE CAN AFFECT THE AMOUNT OF

BIODIVERSITY (SPI 3210.2.5)

CLE 3210.2.1 : Investigate how the dynamic equilibrium of an ecological community is

associated with interactions among its organisms.

Wolves in Yellowstone

Beavers in Yellowstone

Example: the disappearance of wolves in Yellowstone lead to the disappearance of beavers in Yellowstone.

Keystone Species A species that plays a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community and whose impact on the community is greater than would be expected based on its relative abundance or total biomass.

THINK – PAIR – SHARE

How did the disappearance of wolves lead to the disappearance of

beavers?

How do we get from here to

there?

Elk in Yellowstone

The answer:

Ecological Impacts

Ecological Impacts

Less wolves = more elk and more coyote

More elk = less grazing land and less willows, aspen and cottonwood

Less trees = less beavers

More coyotes = less foxes, hares, ground nesting birds, small rodents and young deer

Less small prey = More vegetation such as clover, nuts, etc.

HONORS BIOLOGYMRS. STEWART

CENTRAL MAGNET SCHOOL

Non-Native Species

WHEN YOU’VE MASTERED THIS YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:

PREDICT HOW A SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE

MAY LEAD TO THE EXTINCTION OF A

PARTICULAR SPECIES(SPI 3210.2.6)

CLE 3210.2.3: Predict how global climate change, human activity, geologic events,

and the introduction of non-native species impact an ecosystem.

WHEN YOU’VE MASTERED THIS, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:

MAKE INFERENCES ABOUT HOW A SPECIFIC

ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE CAN AFFECT THE AMOUNT OF

BIODIVERSITY (SPI 3210.2.5)

CLE 3210.2.1 : Investigate how the dynamic equilibrium of an ecological community is

associated with interactions among its organisms.

Kudzu Vines

Non-Native Species

A species that occurs outside its normal habitat (range)

Example: Kudzu vines in America Originated in Japan and Southeast China Brought to USA for:

Ornamental uses Medicinal uses Erosion control uses (among others)

What are the ecological impacts of non-native species?

What has happened to the “native” species in the environment?

Ecological Impacts

Non-native species will consume limited resources usually available for native species Such as: nutrients (nitrates), food, sunlight,

groundwater, spaceNegative effects include:

Decrease in biodiversity (due to decrease in resources)

Cover large amounts of space resulting in exclusion of local species

How do we control it?

What are some of the impacts of invasive species?

Invasive = a new species arrives, survives and thrives

What could a new species cause to happen in an environment? What do new species bring with them?

Lionfish

How could the introduction of the lionfish decrease the survival of the native reef fish?

What ecological aspects are occurring?

Homework:

Find and analyze a scientific article about a Keystone species and its effect on an ecosystem

Find and analyze a scientific article about a non-native species and its effect on an ecosystem

WHEN YOU’VE MASTERED THIS YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:

PREDICT HOW A SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE

MAY LEAD TO THE EXTINCTION OF A

PARTICULAR SPECIES(SPI 3210.2.6)

CLE 3210.2.3: Predict how global climate change, human activity, geologic events,

and the introduction of non-native species impact an ecosystem.

WHEN YOU’VE MASTERED THIS, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:

MAKE INFERENCES ABOUT HOW A SPECIFIC

ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE CAN AFFECT THE AMOUNT OF

BIODIVERSITY (SPI 3210.2.5)

CLE 3210.2.1 : Investigate how the dynamic equilibrium of an ecological community is

associated with interactions among its organisms.