Did you know that February 24-28 is National Invasive Species Awareness Week? Take some time this month to introduce learners to what invasive species are, the threats they pose to the environment, and how to prevent them from spreading.
Native vs. Non-Native Species
A native species is a plant or animal that naturally occurs in a certain area. The ecosystem is balanced because the plants and animals that live there have evolved with each other so they can coexist and maximize the resources that are available to them. Non-native species are organisms that are introduced to an area outside their natural range, but this doesn’t mean they necessarily cause harm to the ecosystem. Invasive species, on the other hand, are non-native species that spread rapidly, outcompete native species, and disrupt ecosystems.
For example, in an oak woodland area, you might find oak trees, native grasses, deer, burrowing animals, bats, various birds, and insects. But when an invasive species is introduced, for example non-native annual grasses, competition for resources increases creating an imbalance in the ecosystem. The presence of non-native grasses could create a lack of water for oak trees. If there are fewer oak trees because they’re dying from lack of water, acorn production decreases, meaning less available food sources for birds, squirrels, and other animals that rely on oak trees.
This is why it’s so important to avoid planting non-native species in your garden. That creeping bellflower might look pretty, but it’s actually a noxious weed – a species that is so harmful to the ecosystem that although it may be out of control, it must be eradicated wherever it is found. For this weed, its extensive root system essentially chokes out the other plants around it.
Just think…if the wind picks up and blows some seeds from invasive plants in your garden, those could spread to your neighbor’s yard or down to the creek near your neighborhood, disrupting the entire ecosystem!
You may have seen signs like these at beaches or waterways reminding boaters to check for aquatic invasive species like zebra mussels. Or perhaps you’ve spotted signs at trailheads asking hikers to check their boots, clothing, and backpacks for any invasive species that may have latched on from a prior hike (i.e., plant seeds or insect eggs).
Certain invasive animal species, like gray squirrels or American Bull Frogs – both of which are native to eastern North America but have spread much farther west all the way to the Pacific – carry diseases that can cause native species to get sick or die.
That’s why it’s so important for people to be aware of the impact invasive species can have and the role we play in preventing them from spreading.
Activities to Explore Invasive Species with Students
Pair the activities below with the “Invasive Species / Especies Invasoras” activity from PLT’s Explore Your Environment: K-8 Activity Guide / Explora tu Ambiente: Guía de Actividades K-8, perfect for learners in grades 3-8. You can also do the “Forest Invaders” activity from Focus on Forests with high school students.
Wildlife Wipeout Invasive Species Game
This game, using candy, a cup and dice, helps students understand just how quickly an invasive species can overtake native species in an ecosystem.
Invasive Species Desert Food Web Game
Roll the dice again with this fun activity that shows how losing just one connection in the food web due to an invasive species causes a chain reaction.
Meet the Invaders Game
In this activity from the USDA Forest Service, students learn, through a series of three simulation games, how invasive plants compete with native plants and overtake an ecosystem.
Help Remove Invasive Species
There are many organizations that host community service events to remove invasive species. Contact local tree foundations, plant societies, and other nonprofits to find out how to participate. You can also visit your state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife website to learn more about invasive species in your area. The National Park Service has some wonderful educational resources as well!
Invasive Species STEM Strategies
Check out PLT’s suggestions on how to engage students in STEM while they learn about invasive species.
