📚 Topic Summary
Invasive species are plants, animals, or other organisms that are introduced to a new environment where they don't naturally belong. Because they often lack natural predators or diseases in their new home, they can reproduce quickly and spread aggressively. This can cause serious harm to native species, disrupt ecosystems, and even impact human activities like agriculture and recreation. Role-playing this scenario will help you understand the complex interactions and consequences of invasive species introductions.
🌍 Part A: Vocabulary
Match each term with its correct definition:
- Invasive Species
- Native Species
- Ecosystem
- Biodiversity
- Competition
- A. The struggle between organisms for limited resources.
- B. A community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
- C. The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
- D. A species that is not native to a specific location, and which has a tendency to spread to a degree believed to cause damage to the environment, human economy or human health.
- E. A species that naturally occurs in a specific region or ecosystem.
📝 Part B: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following paragraph using the words provided:
Words: environment, predators, native, introduced, ecosystem
When a species is __________ to a new __________ , it can become invasive if it lacks __________ . This can harm __________ species and disrupt the balance of the __________ .
🧪 Part C: Critical Thinking
Imagine you are a scientist studying an invasive plant species in your local park. What are three strategies you could use to control its spread and protect the native plants?