Distinguish between exotic species and invasive exotic species

What will be an ideal response?


Exotic species are those that are not native to the ecosystems where they are found. Good examples are numerous species of ornamental plants used by landscapers. Most of these plants have limitations which prevent them from reproducing or from spreading. Many lack pollinators or require specialized conditions that prevent them from establishing in native communities. On the other hand, invasive exotics, in addition to originating far from the areas where they establish, are capable of reproducing exponentially and of attaining unnatural dominance within ecological communities as superior competitors. Often they lack ecological limiting factors such as predators and diseases and may have potent means of dispersal into new habitats. Many are introduced by humans, in some cases intentionally. In many more cases, they are introduced unintentionally. Examples include zebra mussels, sea lampreys and forage grasses that have invaded western U.S. states.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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The big losers from bioprospecting are typically

A) indigenous peoples. B) corporations. C) urban populations. D) coastal populations. E) core populations.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

The outermost layer of a bone is comprised of

A) spongy bone. B) compact bone. C) yellow bone marrow. D) red bone marrow.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Second-growth forests ________

A) in North America are mostly in British Columbia and Alaska B) are forests that establish themselves after virgin timber has been removed from an area C) are less abundant on Earth today than they were 500 years ago D) are forests whose timber has second-rate value E) are those forests in the National Parks that are protected from logging

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Which statement aligns most with the environmental wisdom worldview?

A. Our success depends on learning how nature sustains itself. B. Humans can manage nature to meet our increasing needs and wants. C. Resources are essentially unlimited. D. Sustaining nature depends on the ingenuity of humans. E. Human inventiveness and technology will prevent depletion of resources.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences