Exotic Species
Picture: This is a picture of a Sea Lamprey. It is one of the known exotic species living in marine areas. It is a parasitic lamprey found on Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America, in the western Mediterranean Sea, and in the Great Lakes.
Summary: One of the main causes of biodiversity loss in aquatic ecosystems is the introduction of many exotic species. You may ask what “exotic species” are. Exotic species are non-native plant or animal deliberately or accidentally introduced into a new habitat. These species are introduced into freshwater areas by the release of pet fish or foreign species. They were used for entertainment in aquariums or education. When they are introduced into marine areas, they are introduced by the means of transplanting or commercial shipping. Although exotic species may be interesting, they could possibly leave a negative impact on the ecosystem, economy, and human health. Releasing exotic species into areas may lead to competition between other animals, change of predation, disease, habitat destruction, and even extinction. Approximately 68% of fish species lost in North America over the last century were caused by an invasion of exotic species (Miller et. al, 1989). Overall exotic species have large effects on their ecosystem. These effects are both bad and good, but without them, the ecosystem would be completely different.
Opinion/Reflection: I think that exotic species are very interesting looking, and I think they would be cool to see in person. The part that surprised me in this article is the amount of fish species that were extinct were because of the invasion of exotic species. In class we are learning about biodiversity and how exotic species impact ecosystems. The topic is very interesting to me. I personally think that exotic species are necessary and important to an ecosystem because without them, the entire ecosystem will be altered.
Questions:
1. Do you think exotic species are bad or good to an ecosystem?
2. Why do you think exotic species are important to humans?
3. If exotic species are so important, why don’t you think we hear more about them?
4. How many exotic species do you think are out there today that we don’t know about? Why?
Opinion/Reflection:
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of exotic species before this summary. I agree with Jen when she said that the exotic species are interesting looking. It's weird that 68% of fish species are lost because of exotic species and I have never heard of them. I am glad to learn new things from reading this summary.
Expansion: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080226171618.htm In your summary you had mainly negative impacts of exotic specis but I found an article where it has positive impacts of an exotic species.
I found this summary really interesting. I never really learned about what exotic species are and how much they could affect ecosystems. Also, I was surprised that the main reason fish species are lost was because of exotic species. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this summary and learning about exotic species.
ReplyDeletehttp://nationalatlas.gov/articles/biology/a_zm.html
This link goes to an article talking about another exotic species taking over and destroying ecosystems.
1. What can we do to stop exotic species from destroying different species?
2. How long have exotic species been affecting the Earth
3. What different affects do out of water exotic species have on ecosystems?
Opinion/Reflection: I have never even heard about exotic species before. They look really cool and it would be cool to see one in person. It is crazy how much damage they can do. It is very interesting that these exotic species could come from just putting your pet fish in a new habitat. It is crazy that so many species of fish are lost because of the fish. Its amazing how much could happen from just doing a simple thing like putting your pet fish somewhere.
ReplyDeleteAnswer to question 4: I think there is many unknown exotic species out there. There is so many places that we can not search and exotic species could live in those places.
Opinion/Reflection: I find exotic species so cool and interesting! The way they look is so exotic and different. But what i never knew is that they could destroy an ecosystem and that they are so harmful. We need to stop the spread of them because they are not good for the ecosystems and are introducing diseases and other harmful things. I really hope people stop spreading exotic species so there are no more harmful effects by them on ecosystems.
ReplyDeleteAnswer to question 1: I think exotic species are bad for ecosytems. I believe that because they are introudcing harmful things into ecosystems that would possibly destroy them such as change of predation, disease, habitat destruction, and extinction. They have even caused 68% of fish species lost in North America in the last century. We need to stop the spread of them.
I wanted to add to my comment that a good example of an exotic species would be the asian carp. They are destroying ecosystems in the Mississippi River and the Illinois river.
ReplyDelete