Exotic Species: Wanted Dead Or Alive

Exotic Species: Wanted Dead or Alive Courtesy of M. Littleton, Carver H.S., Carver, Mass. http://whyfiles.org/160invasive_spec/index.html

AKA: Invasive species, Nonindigenous species, Non-native species, Introduced species, Alien species

Background Information: Click here to read information on exotic species

Choose a Species: Visit one of the following web sites and select a species. The only requirement is that it be an invasive species in the United States. I've included a list of a few invasive species in California found locally if you are interested. There are many others as well.

Species profiles at Invasive species.gov

Exotic Introductions Chapter at Biodiversity and Conservation: A Hypertext Book by Peter J. Bryant

Invasive Species of California

 Saltcedar or Tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima)  Spanish broom (Spartium junceum)  Yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis)  Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)  Africanized honeybee (Apis mellifera scutellata)  European starling (Sturnus vulgaris))  Red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta)  European gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar)

Research: Obtain more information on your species by doing a web search. Make sure to document your sources (title and address of all web pages used).

The Product:

1. Use PowerPoint (one slide) to create a "Wanted" poster for your species that includes:

 Name (Scientific name/common name/"criminal" name)  Picture  Identifying characteristics-key features to look for when identifying the criminal  Last seen-where did the species originally come from? Include a map  Suspected hideouts-include a map of the U.S. with its current distribution shaded; description of preferred habitat  Crimes committed-crimes must be specific to your species and not general to all invasive species  Reward-for elimination of your species (think ecologically, economically, socially, politically and be specific to your species)  Color, neatness and creativity count

2. Bibliography

 List of internet sites/web addresses or appropriate bibliographic information.

3. Presentation

 Your slide will become part of a presentation for Open House on May 1st. It will be playing as a slide show for parents and visitors to appreciate and learn from your work and expertise as they visit. Exotic Species Project Grading Rubric

Content:

Poster

Name / Also Known As 0 1 2 (both Latin name and common name)

Picture 0 1 2 (organism is clearly visible and identifiable)

Identifying Characteristics 0 1 2 (key identification features)

Last Seen 0 1 2 (naïve territory including a map)

Suspected Hideouts 0 1 2 (current distribution shown on a map) (description of preferred habitat)

Crimes Committed 0 1 2 (specific to your species, detailed)

Method of control for species 0 1 2

Reward (ecologically, economically, etc. 0 1 2

Quality:

PowerPoint Slide Poster – Creativity, Color, Neatness 1 2 3 4 5

Outline/Bibliography:

Sources of information are cited 1 2 3 4 5

Total: ______(26 possible)