Invasive Species Florida is well known for its variety of native plant and animal species……

Florida Panther

Sabal Palmetto

Manatee

However, there are a variety of invasive species hurting Florida’s ecosystems….

Pythons

Kudzu Grass

Asian Tiger Mosquitoes

In the late 80s and early 90s, the Tokay was introduced to Hawaii, Florida, Texas, Belize and the Caribbean islands and it is now considered an invasive species in these locations. Natively, they are mostly found from northeast India through Asia all the way to Indonesia and western New Guinea Tokay Gecko

Unfortunately, humans are a large contributor to this problem Unfortunately, humans are a large contributor to this problem! We have introduced many of these species into the environment…..

One question going through the environmental agencies is, “How do we fix this problem??”

YOU are being asked to help!

What are you going to be doing?

In groups, you will be writing and presenting a proposal on how to safely remove an invasive species from the ecosystem!

For the next week, your group will be conducting research and using the fundamentals of ecology to help restore the ecosystems of Florida.

Everyone says they want to help the world. Here’s your chance Everyone says they want to help the world. Here’s your chance! Good luck!

Objective: The objective of this project is to try to remove a species that is considered invasive in the state of Florida from the ecosystem it is invading without hurting the species or the ecosystem around it.

State benchmark: SC.912.L.17.8 Recognize the consequences of the losses of diversity due to catastrophic events, climate changes, human activity and the introduction of invasive and non-native species.

Background: Invasive species are species that were introduced to an ecosystem, whether by accident or on purpose, and have had a negative effect on that ecosystem. Invasive species do not only include animals, but plants, fungi, protists, and even bacteria.

Today we will use the Computers and your group will be assigned a species to research and begin your background research. Read over the directions and begin your research project! You may divide the questions among your members so that some of the work can be done at home. The template of the power point is on my web site. When you return to school you can put the parts together. Due Date: Friday March 29th We will be working on this Tuesday - Thursday and it is due Friday! Some will need to be done at home! Use your time wisely! You have a choice of a Power point, brochure, or poster to present your information to the class. But I recommend the power point for ease of group time!

Grade Breakdown (out of 51 points): Background information-10 points (2 points each) What is the name of your species? Genus species What type of organism is your species (ex. Plant/animal) How many of this organism lives in the world? In Florida? To where is this organism native? How did this organism get introduced to Florida?

The “Problems”- 13 points What ecosystem in Florida is this species invading? (2 points) Which populations in this ecosystem are this species affecting the most? (2 points) What makes this species invasive? (How does it affect energy flow in the ecosystem, taking habitats, preying on native species, etc?) (9 points)

The “Solution”- 13 points Research and find, or make up your own removal method that is safe for the species being removed, as well as the ecosystem. The goal is not to hurt anything, but to help everyone. (3 points) How does this method work? (2 points) If it is a method that has been used previously, what type of ecosystem was it used on in the past, and what was the outcome of using that method? If it has not been used or thought of before, explain why that may be. (3 points) Do you think this removal method could work on any invasive species being removed from any ecosystem? Why or why not? (3 points) Who would you recommend this removal method to? Why? (2 points)

Creativity on Poster/Power point/Brochure- 5 points Organization of Poster/Power point/Brochure (Is it easy to read/understand?)- 5 points Presentation (every group member must participate in presentation)-5 points Group members will have a chance to peer review each other for their participation in the project. The peer review will affect individual grades on the project. So make sure everyone works hard and works together!

http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/ unitedstates/fl.shtml#thr FPL http://www.fpl.com/environment/e xotic/exotic_and_invasive_species _index.shtml http://www.freshfromflorida.com/pi/pest-alerts/index.html

Great source for articles on Florida invasive species! http://www.freshfromflorida.com/pi/pest-alerts/index.html

Top Ten Abundant Invasive Plants (by number of reports) Brazilian peppertree - 60710 reports melaleuca - 30229 reports old world climbing fern - 19551 reports cogongrass - 11585 reports Japanese climbing fern - 7925 reports Chinese tallowtree - 6484 reports Caesarweed - 5479 reports Australian-pine - 3538 reports air-potato - 3527 reports mimosa - 3116 reports

Giant African land snail Species list Asian Swamp Eel Hydrilla Great Toad Monk Parakeet Blue Tilapia Citrus Canker Spectacled Caiman Python Giant African land snail Fire ants Brazilian Pepper European Starling Melaleuca Wild Hog Australian Pine Cuban Tree Frog Japanese Climbing Fern Fire Ant Water Hyacinth

http://articles. sun- sentinel http://articles.sun- sentinel.com/2012-01- 31/news/sfl-pythons-take- over-everglades- 20120131_1_burmese- pythons-chan-lowe-white- footed-ant Pythons article

http://www. freshfromflorida. com/press/2011/09152011 http://www.freshfromflorida.com/press/2011/09152011.ht mlFlorida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Identifies Giant African Land Snails in Miami-Dade County

Tallahassee, FL – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has positively identified a population of Giant African land snails (GALS) in Miami-Dade County. The Giant African land snail is one of the most damaging snails in the world because they consume at least 500 different types of plants, can cause structural damage to plaster and stucco, and can carry a parasitic nematode that can lead to meningitis in humans. 

7. Japanese Climbing Fern 8. Fire Ant 9. Water Hyacinth Species Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 5 1. Pepper 2. European Starling 3. Melaleuca 4. Wild Hog 5. Australian Pine 6. Cuban Tree Frog 7. Japanese Climbing Fern 8. Fire Ant 9. Water Hyacinth

10. Asian Swamp Eel 11. Hydrilla 12. Great Toad 13. Monk Parakeet 14. Blue Tilapia 15. Citrus Canker 16. Spectacled Caiman

17. Python 18. Giant African land snail 19. Tokay Gecko 20. Lionfish 21. The European Pepper Moth, Duponchelia fovealis Zeller 22. Chilean Recluse, Loxosceles laeta 23. Laurel wilt