Transcript Keystone and Non-Native Species

Keystone and Non-Native
Species
HONORS BIOLOGY
MRS. STEWART
CENTRAL MAGNET SCHOOL
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:
PREDICT HOW A SPECIFIC
ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
MAY LEAD TO THE
EXTINCTION OF A PARTICULAR
SPECIES
(SPI 3210.2.6)
CLE 3210.2.1 : Investigate how the dynamic equilibrium
of an ecological community is associated with
interactions among its organisms.
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)
Wolves in Yellowstone
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.
Example: the disappearance of
wolves in Yellowstone lead to the
disappearance of beavers in
Yellowstone.
How did the disappearance of
wolves lead to the disappearance of
beavers?
THINK – PAIR – SHARE
How do we get
from here to there?
The answer:
Elk in
Yellowstone
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.
Non-Native Species
HONORS BIOLOGY
MRS. STEWART
CENTRAL MAGNET SCHOOL
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:
PREDICT HOW A SPECIFIC
ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
MAY LEAD TO THE
EXTINCTION OF A PARTICULAR
SPECIES
(SPI 3210.2.6)
CLE 3210.2.1 : Investigate how the dynamic equilibrium
of an ecological community is associated with
interactions among its organisms.
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)
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 has
happened to
the “native”
species in the
environment?
What are the ecological impacts of
non-native species?
Ecological Impacts
 Non-native species will consume limited resources
usually available for native species

Such as: nutrients (nitrates), food, sunlight, groundwater,
space
 Negative 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
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:
PREDICT HOW A SPECIFIC
ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
MAY LEAD TO THE
EXTINCTION OF A PARTICULAR
SPECIES
(SPI 3210.2.6)
CLE 3210.2.1 : Investigate how the dynamic equilibrium
of an ecological community is associated with
interactions among its organisms.
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)