Invasive Species- What's the worst that could happen? – Grades 9-12

Notes
Exhibit Challenge Booklet
Your Challenge:
Invasive Species: What’s the Worst
That Could Happen?
You are a government official who has been asked to write a report
describing the worst case scenario for a potential invasive species
in a Hudson River ecosystem. Invasive species are organisms not
native to an ecosystem that reproduce quickly there and cause harm
to the new ecosystem. Because they are from another ecosystem,
invasive species are sometimes called aliens or exotics. This report
is to be presented to local lawmakers to make them aware of the
dangers invasive species pose to this region.
First identify the characteristics and the type of organism that
you feel poses the greatest risk. What region of the world would
this species originate from? How would it get to the Hudson
River Estuary? In the worst case scenario, what impact would
this organism have on the native ecosystem? Your report should
recommend how to prevent the introduction of the species into a
Hudson River ecosystem. Also, you must create a plan to control the
spread of your species should it gain a foothold in the region.
Sketch Pad
2 Discovery Challenges Invasive Species: Grades 9-12 Discovery Challenges Invasive Species: Grades 9-12
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