Mr.Fleming
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Lesson Plans and information for substitute teachers |
Day 1
How can we minimize the environmental impact of invasive species in Illinois?
What Is an Invasive Species?
Think about all of the plants and animals you encounter in a day. Of these organisms, do you have any idea how many of them are originally from your location or how many have been transplanted from some other place?
Plants and animals that have been transplanted from one location to another are often referred to as non-natives. Although some non-native organisms mesh very well with their new environment and do not do any harm, others can have serious effects on their new home. These organisms are known as invasive species due to their intrusive nature. Under United States federal law, invasive species are defined as species that are non-native to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes economic harm, environmental harm or harm to human health.
Invasive species can include plants, animals and other organisms, such as microbes. They are found in every type of habitat on Earth, including human homes. The number of invasive species has increased in past decades due to the rapid growth of worldwide transportation. As new technologies made it easier for humans to travel around the world, they also made it easier for invasive species to move around the world. Some invasive species are transplanted to a new environment by accident, such as species that get into boats and travel across the ocean unnoticed. Other invasive species are transplanted on purpose by humans who travel and want to bring something from their travels back home or plant flowers or bushes because they like the way they look. No matter how an invasive species gets to its new environment, it is likely a direct result of human action.
Plants and animals that have been transplanted from one location to another are often referred to as non-natives. Although some non-native organisms mesh very well with their new environment and do not do any harm, others can have serious effects on their new home. These organisms are known as invasive species due to their intrusive nature. Under United States federal law, invasive species are defined as species that are non-native to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes economic harm, environmental harm or harm to human health.
Invasive species can include plants, animals and other organisms, such as microbes. They are found in every type of habitat on Earth, including human homes. The number of invasive species has increased in past decades due to the rapid growth of worldwide transportation. As new technologies made it easier for humans to travel around the world, they also made it easier for invasive species to move around the world. Some invasive species are transplanted to a new environment by accident, such as species that get into boats and travel across the ocean unnoticed. Other invasive species are transplanted on purpose by humans who travel and want to bring something from their travels back home or plant flowers or bushes because they like the way they look. No matter how an invasive species gets to its new environment, it is likely a direct result of human action.
Day 2
To be considered an invasive species by the United States federal government, a species must be:
Day 3
What factor has led to the increase in invasive species in recent decades?
