Invasive Species Presentation All invasive species information from - - PDF document

Invasive Species Presentation

All invasive species information from http://www.invadingspecies.com/

Biodiversity 1.1 Analyze a local issue related to biodiversity, taking different points of view into consideration, propose action that can be taken to promote biodiversity, and act upon it. 2.1 Follow established safety procedures for outdoor activities and field work 2.3 Use scientific inquiry/research skills to compare the characteristics of organisms within the plant or animal kingdom 2.4 Use appropriate science and technology vocabulary, including classification, biodiversity, natural community, interrelationships, vertebrate, invertebrate, stability, characteristics, and organism, in oral and written communication 2.5 Use a variety of forms to communicate with different audiences and for a variety of purposes. 3.7 Explain how invasive species reduce biodiversity in local environments. Purpose: To learn more about invasive species in the Toronto area, as well as to learn how to research and how to make a presentation. Objective: To research and create an information campaign about a local invasive species. This will include a short presentation on the invasive species and a poster to put up in the school. This presentation can be done however the groups want to do them (video, collage, oral presentation etc.) Group size: Groups of 3 Supplies:  For research

• Computers

 For presentation and poster

• Bristol board
• Markers
• Tape

Preparation:  Print out one Invasive Species of Ontario sheet for each group (double side animals and plants) Background:

Invasive species are plants or animals that are not native to the area that causes significant ecological damage or distress. Invasive species can displace or harm native species, change the ecosystem to suit them and possibly have a massive population growth to the point where they dominate the ecosystem. These species actually represent the second biggest threat to global biodiversity after habitat loss. And invasive species don’t just affect other animals and plants; they are an economic challenge as well, causing billions of dollars per year in damages. Instructions:

• 1. Introduce invasive species to the class and ask them to name any invasive species that

they can think of.

• 2. Each group will be researching one invasive species. They will use the information that

they found to create a poster to place in the school and to give a presentation in class on their invasive species.

• 3. Hand out one Invasive Species of Ontario list to each group of students. Ask them to read

the list and pick a species to research.

• 4. Each presentation must include the following:
• a. What the species is (using scientific language such as invertebrate, mollusc, etc.).
• b. Where their species comes from and how it got to Ontario.
• c. The habitats where the species lives (forest floor, outskirts of wetlands, etc.).
• d. How the species impacts local biodiversity.
• e. How the species spreads and what makes it so invasive.
• f. How to slow the spread of this species.
• 5. Each poster must include the following:
• a. A picture of their invasive species and its name.
• b. The habitats where the species lives.
• c. How to slow the spread of this species.
• 6. Once the groups have presented, the posters can be hung up in the halls of the school.

Next steps: A potential next step would be a class stewardship initiative regarding one of the local invasive

• species. One option is to do a pull of garlic mustard in the local area, as it is a common invader

in Toronto and it is safe and easy to pull. The link provided will give instruction on how to remove the garlic mustard. http://biodiversityeducation.ca/files/2012/03/GMprotcol1.pdf Please note that examples of student work can be included in your Eco Schools binder. Invasive Species of Ontario Plants

Garlic Mustard: An edible plant from Europe, Garlic Mustard was

• riginally brought to North America by European settlers as an herb

used in cooking. Now, Garlic Mustard can be found in the understory

• f most forests of Ontario and Quebec, as well as much of the

Northeast United States. Discover how it uses a combination of numbers and the help of deer to dominate the forest!

Purple Loosestrife: A beautiful purple flower often found in wetlands

and along the sides of roads, Purple Loosestrife is a plant that has taken root in North America and doesn’t want to leave. Learn how two Purple Loosestrife plants next to each other might not be as different as you think! Common Buckthorn: A shrub or a tree, Common Buckthorn is a common plant in Southern Ontario. Its black berries and long lasting leaves make it a very nice looking plant to have in your yard, but watch

• ut for the thorns! And if it is in your yard, you may find that not many
• ther things want to grow there.

Dog-Strangling Vine: No, this vine isn’t coming after your pet, but it is coming after every sunny piece of soil it can find! Dog-Strangling Vine climbs up other plants and will “strangle” them to have better access to

• resources. It may not be strangling animals, but find out how this plant

can harm a certain insect! Giant Hogweed: Giant Hogweed is truly a giant, as some can stand up to 5.5m tall! This size, along with the big bundles of white flowers, makes Giant Hogweed easy to pick out in a crowd. This plant is one that you should never touch or get too close to; discover what makes it so dangerous! Phragmites: These tall grasses really love living in the water. They love it so much that they will outcompete all of the other plants in order to make their homes near it! Learn how Phragmites use toxins and quick growing to take over the water’s edge. Invasive Species of Ontario Animals

Zebra Mussel: Sharp enough to cut; Zebra Mussels have invaded many of Ontario’s lakes and rivers, including the Great Lakes. Zebra Mussels can often be found stuck to the sides of rocks or parts of piers. Learn how they manage to spread within a watershed, even when the adults can’t move! Asian Carps: With multiple species under this name, Asian Carps are large fish that can quickly dominate their local ecosystem. Due to their large appetite, they can quickly remove food sources for other

• fish. Find out how one of the Asian Carp species can even injure

humans when it gets frightened. Sea Lamprey: These primitive and parasitic fish used to be ocean animals, but recently they have adapted to living their entire life in

• freshwater. Living in much of the Great Lakes Basin, these fish

have decimated local fish populations. Learn about their unique mouths and how they use it to feed. Asian Long-horned Beetle: Toronto and the GTA is the only place in Ontario where the Asian-Long-horned Beetle has been found, making it a very important local issue. Not picky about what trees it likes, this insect can damage and kill almost every type of deciduous tree. Discover how the City of Toronto is taking measures to control the spread of this beetle! Emerald Ash Borer: Similar to the Asian Long-horned Beetle, this insect really likes trees. However, the Emerald Ash Borer is a little bit pickier with the trees that it eats; it only eats ash trees. Find out how this insect spreads slowly on its own, but is able to spread quickly with a little bit of help! Rusty Crayfish: These large and aggressive crustaceans don’t come from overseas; they are actually native to other parts of North

• America. But now they are spreading northward to Canada, and are

taking over our lakes and rivers. Discover how it only takes one crayfish to start a new population of Rusty Crayfish in a new lake

• r pond!