In GCSE Geography students will look at the negative effects that invasive, non-native species of both plant and animal have on an established ecosystem. Most of them have been introduced by humans, either deliberately or accidentally, so it is therefore our collective responsibility to try to control the problems caused. This quiz looks at those effects and also some possible methods of lessening their impact.
In 2014 the European Union ratified an agreement to remove the most invasive species out of the entire European area. This included species of plant such as Japanese knotweed, and animals like grey squirrels, muntjac deer and pond slider turtles. The total cost of invasive non-native species to the British economy is estimated at £1.7 billion annually, and worldwide is around 5% of annual production.
An invasive, non-native species is any non-native animal or plant that has the ability to spread and causing damage to the environment, the economy, our health and the way we live. The intention is for the worst species to be removed entirely, limiting their spread back into the EU. However, many of the vectors (such as ballast water of ships - which often contains micro-organisms) are still a risk, meaning that measures have to be put in place.
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Some people are arguing that, whilst many of the more exotic animals (such as racoons and certain species of chipmunk) are going to be outlawed, other animals that are equally invasive and destructive, are unregulated as of yet in the EU.
It is estimated that worldwide non-native, invasive species have caused 40% of all extinctions. In Europe 10 new invasive species are thought to become established each year. In the UK £13.9 million worth of damage and around 12 deaths a year are caused by collisions between cars and wild deer, many of which are non-native invasive species.
It’s worth knowing some of these figures to allow you to give precise answers to the longer answer questions in exams.
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1.
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What is a non-native species? |
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Something moved by humans |
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A species that preys on native species |
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A species that is causing a large amount of ecological damage |
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A species living outside its natural range |
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2.
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In the 20th Century, American mink escaped into the British countryside when they were released from fur farms by animal rights activists. What has the impact been on the natural environment? |
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| [ ] |
Water voles are able to use empty mink burrows, thus increasing their numbers |
| [ ] |
The mink barely became established, but have provided an excellent food source for native predators |
| [ ] |
Some native species have declined by as much as 94% since the mink arrived |
| [ ] |
Mink have replaced other predators that hunting removed from the British countryside, so have had no impact |
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3.
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Why might invasive species legislation across Europe not be appropriate for all member states? |
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| [ ] |
Species that are banned to protect southerly nations cannot become invasive in more northerly ones |
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Few if any of the species will make it to island nations such as Ireland |
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Countries have different attitudes towards releasing animals, and some won't be releasing plants and animals at will |
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Some countries have better border controls than others |
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4.
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Some introduced species become naturalised. What does this mean? |
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| [ ] |
The species is moved from one area to another |
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The species becomes established, living and breeding in a region outside of its native range |
| [ ] |
The species becomes a native species and is listed in the flora and fauna of that region |
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The species is driven to extinction in its native range |
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5.
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How does climate change affect the spread of invasive species? |
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| [ ] |
As climates cool down, invasive species will be able to survive and breed in currently hot areas |
| [ ] |
More extreme weather will lead to the extinction of native species |
| [ ] |
As climates warm up, native species will be able to outcompete invaders |
| [ ] |
As climates warm up, invasive species will be able to survive and breed in currently cold areas |
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6.
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Lionfish have been introduced outside of their native range and are being targeted for destruction in some locations. Why are lionfish a threat to other marine species in the Florida area? |
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| [ ] |
A single lionfish can consume up to 80% of the juvenile fish on a reef in five weeks |
| [ ] |
As a venomous species, lionfish sting and kill any native predators |
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Lionfish remove the algae that other species feed on |
| [ ] |
Lionfish outcompete the native species for territory |
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7.
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In 1859, 24 rabbits were released in Australia. 10 years later, 2 million could be hunted with no noticeable affect on the population. What is the impact of the rabbits on the Australian landscape today? |
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| [ ] |
Rabbits eating the local vegetation has led to the loss of plant species and soil erosion |
| [ ] |
The rabbits have spread disease to native marsupial species |
| [ ] |
Rabbits have become the main source of fur and meat to the Native Australians |
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Rabbits remove weeds that would be dangerous to sheep and other herbivores |
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8.
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Red-eared sliders are a species of pond turtle native to North America. How have they become widespread throughout the UK? |
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| [ ] |
They have escaped from food farms |
| [ ] |
They have been able to travel from their native range due to global warming |
| [ ] |
Pet turtles were were released by their owners |
| [ ] |
They were released to predate an invasive lobster species |
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9.
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The harlequin ladybird is considered the UKs fastest invading species but little is being done to eradicate them. Which of the following is not a reason that the ladybird isn't being targeted for eradication? |
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| [ ] |
They are causing little economic impact |
| [ ] |
They prey on pests that might damage on crops |
| [ ] |
They provide prey for our native ladybird species |
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It's almost impossible to eradicate them without impacting native species |
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10.
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What can cat owners do to reduce the risk to local wildlife from their pet? |
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| [ ] |
Feed their cats well so they don't need to hunt |
| [ ] |
Keep their cats indoors to protect them and other species |
| [ ] |
Nothing - cats are hunters and it's a natural behaviour which shouldn't be stopped |
| [ ] |
Rescue the animals caught by their cats when possible |
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1.
|
What is a non-native species? |
|
| [ ] |
Something moved by humans |
| [ ] |
A species that preys on native species |
| [ ] |
A species that is causing a large amount of ecological damage |
| [x] |
A species living outside its natural range |
|
|
|
2.
|
In the 20th Century, American mink escaped into the British countryside when they were released from fur farms by animal rights activists. What has the impact been on the natural environment? |
|
| [ ] |
Water voles are able to use empty mink burrows, thus increasing their numbers |
| [ ] |
The mink barely became established, but have provided an excellent food source for native predators |
| [x] |
Some native species have declined by as much as 94% since the mink arrived |
| [ ] |
Mink have replaced other predators that hunting removed from the British countryside, so have had no impact |
|
|
|
3.
|
Why might invasive species legislation across Europe not be appropriate for all member states? |
|
| [x] |
Species that are banned to protect southerly nations cannot become invasive in more northerly ones |
| [ ] |
Few if any of the species will make it to island nations such as Ireland |
| [ ] |
Countries have different attitudes towards releasing animals, and some won't be releasing plants and animals at will |
| [ ] |
Some countries have better border controls than others |
|
|
|
4.
|
Some introduced species become naturalised. What does this mean? |
|
| [ ] |
The species is moved from one area to another |
| [x] |
The species becomes established, living and breeding in a region outside of its native range |
| [ ] |
The species becomes a native species and is listed in the flora and fauna of that region |
| [ ] |
The species is driven to extinction in its native range |
|
|
|
5.
|
How does climate change affect the spread of invasive species? |
|
| [ ] |
As climates cool down, invasive species will be able to survive and breed in currently hot areas |
| [ ] |
More extreme weather will lead to the extinction of native species |
| [ ] |
As climates warm up, native species will be able to outcompete invaders |
| [x] |
As climates warm up, invasive species will be able to survive and breed in currently cold areas |
|
|
|
6.
|
Lionfish have been introduced outside of their native range and are being targeted for destruction in some locations. Why are lionfish a threat to other marine species in the Florida area? |
|
| [x] |
A single lionfish can consume up to 80% of the juvenile fish on a reef in five weeks |
| [ ] |
As a venomous species, lionfish sting and kill any native predators |
| [ ] |
Lionfish remove the algae that other species feed on |
| [ ] |
Lionfish outcompete the native species for territory |
|
|
|
7.
|
In 1859, 24 rabbits were released in Australia. 10 years later, 2 million could be hunted with no noticeable affect on the population. What is the impact of the rabbits on the Australian landscape today? |
|
| [x] |
Rabbits eating the local vegetation has led to the loss of plant species and soil erosion |
| [ ] |
The rabbits have spread disease to native marsupial species |
| [ ] |
Rabbits have become the main source of fur and meat to the Native Australians |
| [ ] |
Rabbits remove weeds that would be dangerous to sheep and other herbivores |
|
|
|
8.
|
Red-eared sliders are a species of pond turtle native to North America. How have they become widespread throughout the UK? |
|
| [ ] |
They have escaped from food farms |
| [ ] |
They have been able to travel from their native range due to global warming |
| [x] |
Pet turtles were were released by their owners |
| [ ] |
They were released to predate an invasive lobster species |
|
|
|
9.
|
The harlequin ladybird is considered the UKs fastest invading species but little is being done to eradicate them. Which of the following is not a reason that the ladybird isn't being targeted for eradication? |
|
| [ ] |
They are causing little economic impact |
| [ ] |
They prey on pests that might damage on crops |
| [x] |
They provide prey for our native ladybird species |
| [ ] |
It's almost impossible to eradicate them without impacting native species |
|
|
|
10.
|
What can cat owners do to reduce the risk to local wildlife from their pet? |
|
| [ ] |
Feed their cats well so they don't need to hunt |
| [x] |
Keep their cats indoors to protect them and other species |
| [ ] |
Nothing - cats are hunters and it's a natural behaviour which shouldn't be stopped |
| [ ] |
Rescue the animals caught by their cats when possible |
|
|
