Scientific research

Invasive species have plagued the North American continent since the first European settlers arrived in the late 1400’s. An invasive species is defined as a species that is non-native to a particular ecosystem and whose introduction likely causes harm to native populations of plants, animals, and/or humans. Their presence can have far reaching negative environmental and economical impacts. Invasive species include plants, animals, and microbes, with human actions being the primary means of introduction. Your assignment is to research an invasive species that has become established in the United States. You may select a species that has long been invasively established, or select one that has more recently become established. After researching your invasive species, write a descriptive report addressing the following items: 1. Background Information- List the common and scientific names of the species. Be sure to include information on the characteristics and life history of the species (native range, physical description, natural ecological niche). What traits does this species have that make it well suited to act as an invasive species? 2. Characteristics of the Invader- When did this species become invasively established? Where has it become established? What are the negative impacts on the native ecosystems in which it has become established (what harm is it causing to specific native plant and animal species)? Are there any negative economical impacts or threats to human health and safety? 3. Methods to Control or Eliminate the Invader- What is being done currently to eradicate or control the growth of the invasive species’ population? Are these methods proving successful? What is the long-term outlook? There is no set page limit for this assignment, but for full credit the paper MUST address all of the above-mentioned items and be well-written (proper grammar and punctuation, in-text citations of literature resources, a list of references, and proper sentence and paragraph structure). An “A” paper will be very descriptive and provide good, detailed information on the species in addition to addressing all of the above-mentioned specifics. Scientific research papers follow the APA style, see this link for guidelines: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_style_introduction.html

Sample Solution

Background Information

Common name: Asian carp
Scientific name: Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
Native range: Asia
Physical description: Asian carp are large, silver fish with a humped back and a forked tail. They can grow up to 4 feet long and weigh up to 100 pounds.
Natural ecological niche: Asian carp are bottom-feeding fish that eat plankton and small invertebrates. They are native to rivers and lakes in Asia.

Full Answer Section

Asian carp have several traits that make them well suited to act as invasive species:

They are highly adaptable and can survive in a wide range of conditions.
They are prolific breeders and can produce millions of eggs per year.
They are voracious eaters and can outcompete native fish for food.
They are resistant to diseases and parasites that affect native fish.

Characteristics of the Invader Asian carp were first introduced to the United States in the 1970s as a way to control algae blooms in aquaculture ponds. However, they escaped from these ponds and have since spread to the Mississippi River and its tributaries. They have also been found in the Great Lakes. Asian carp are a major threat to native fish populations in the United States. They compete with native fish for food and habitat, and they can also prey on native fish. Asian carp have also been known to disrupt spawning grounds and nursery areas for native fish. In addition to the ecological impacts, Asian carp also pose a threat to human health and safety. They can jump out of the water and injure people, and they can also contaminate fishing gear and boats. Negative impacts on native ecosystems Asian carp have had a significant negative impact on native ecosystems in the United States. They have outcompeted native fish for food and habitat, and they have also preyed on native fish. This has led to declines in native fish populations, which has disrupted the food chain and affected other organisms in the ecosystem. For example, Asian carp have been shown to reduce the abundance of native mussels in the Mississippi River. Mussels are important filter feeders that help to keep the water clean. When mussel populations decline, the water quality can deteriorate, which can have a negative impact on other organisms in the ecosystem. Asian carp have also been shown to reduce the abundance of native fish-eating birds, such as bald eagles and ospreys. These birds rely on native fish for food, and when the fish populations decline, the birds can starve. Negative economical impacts Asian carp also pose a threat to the fishing industry in the United States. They are considered a nuisance fish and are not desirable to eat. Their presence in the water can also make it difficult to fish for other species. The fishing industry in the Great Lakes is estimated to lose $50 million annually due to the presence of Asian carp. The industry is also spending millions of dollars on efforts to control the spread of Asian carp. Threats to human health and safety Asian carp can jump out of the water and injure people. They have also been known to contaminate fishing gear and boats. In 2010, a man was killed in Illinois when he was struck by an Asian carp that jumped out of the water. Asian carp can also carry diseases that can be harmful to humans. For example, they can carry the bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila, which can cause skin infections. Conclusion Asian carp are a serious threat to native ecosystems and the fishing industry in the United States. They are a difficult species to control, but there are a number of efforts underway to try to prevent their spread. These efforts include installing barriers to block their migration, controlling their populations with fishing, and educating the public about the dangers of Asian carp.

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