Week 44 - freshwater

• Ecology
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

Week 43 - Freshwater and wetland management

Invasive species and management

Lauren Moore

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Activity on LessonUp

Are ladybirds native or invasive to the UK?

1. Native
2. Invasive

What is the motto for freshwater invasive species control?

1. Prevent, reduce, remove
2. Out of sight, out of mind
3. Check, clean, dry

Red-eared sliders are a species of pond turtle native to North America. How have they become widespread throughout the UK?

1. They escaped from food farms
2. They have been able to travel from their native range due to global warming
3. Pet turtles were released by their owners
4. They were intentionally released to predate an invasive lobster species

Cause of red slider expansion!

The film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles lead to a huge increase of purchases of these tiny hatchling turtles. After a few years they outgrew most standard aquariums and were abandoned. Millions have been imported into the UK and are still being imported in the hundreds of thousands, despite few people having the ability to house them as adults

How does climate change affect the spread of invasive species?

1. As climates cool down, invasive species will be able to survive and breed in currently hot areas
2. More extreme weather will lead to the extinction of native species
3. As climates warm up, native species will be able to outcompete invaders
4. As climates warm up, invasive species will be able to survive and breed in currently cold areas

In the 20th Century, American mink escaped into the British countryside when they were released from fur farms by animal rights activists. What has the impact been on the natural environment?

1. Water voles are able to empty mink burrows, thus increasing their numbers
2. The mink barely became established, but have provided an excellent food source for native predators
3. Some native species have declined as much as 94% since the mink arrived
4. MInk have replaced other predators that hunting removed from the British countryside, so have had no impact

The harlequin ladybird is considered the UK's fastest invading species but little is being done to eradicate them. Which of the following is not a reason that the ladybird isn't being targeted for eradication?

1. They are causing little economic impact
2. They prey on pests that might damage crops
3. They provide prey for our native ladybird species
4. It's almost impossible to eradicate them without impacting native species

Some introduced species become naturalised. What does this mean?

1. The species is moved from one area to another
2. The species becomes established, living and breeding in a region outside of its native range
3. The species became a native species and is listed in the flora and fauna of the region
4. The species is driven from extinction in its native range

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Domestic cats

Japanese knotweed - forming dense stands 

Asian hornet - predator of honeybees and other insects

Rhododendron - blocks light and carries disease

American bull frog - predator and carrier of disease

Grey squirrels - out-competitor and disease carrier

American mink - predator

Muntjac - clear shrubs, prevents tree regeneration

Signal crayfish - competition, disease carrier, erosion

Floating pennywort - extensive water surface cover

Domestic cats!

Cats in the UK catch up to 100 million prey items over spring and summer, of which 27 million are birds (incl. house sparrows, blue tits, blackbirds, starlings)

Should cats be kept indoors 24/7?

Yes

No

FIELD TRIP!

When: 31/05/2022, 8.15am to 1pm

Where: Bulwell Hall

Why: to get involved in the crayfish project, help with crayfish trapping

You will get: waders and life jackets

What you will need: proper footwear, warm layers, water, positive attitude!

Any questions?