Smith, M. (2017, March 12). Texas lawmakers say more study needed before. Retrieved March 13, 2017, from http://www.khou.com/news/local/texas/texas-lawmakers-say-more-study-needed- before-hog-apocalypse/421889664

This article discusses the invasive feral hog problem that is happening in Texas; millions of feral hogs continue to run wild across the, destroying native plants and in turn the habitats of many other native species. The population of feral hogs in Texas as of now is around 2 million, and scientists are trying to find a way to kill the hogs humanely. While lawmakers have recently passed the lethal feral hog poison “Kaput”, farmers are worried that it will negatively affect their crops, along with the fact that it could also hurt the environment. As a result of this, scientists are trying to find an alternative that will not hurt crops and humanely euthanize the hogs.

I found this article interesting because I usually think of invasive species as small creatures, but the fact that these large hogs have become such an invasive threat just sparked my interest. This article shows how invasive species negatively impact the environment, and how it can be hard to find a solution to the havoc wreaked by them. In this case, when a solution was proposed, it would negatively effect crops and air quality, which is scary in that it shows that the possibility of eliminating one environmental threat brings up a new environmental threat. I am interested to see how Texas will approach this situation again in the future because of how major of a problem these invasive species have become.

Roscoe, J. (2017, March 2). A warmer winter and earlier spring could mean more invasive bugs for Maryland. Retrieved March 11, 2017, from http://www.dbknews.com/2017/03/03/warm- winter-invasive-species-maryland/

This article talks about how rising temperatures in winter months in Maryland allow invasive insects such as the stink bug to thrive, as opposed to previous cold winters when the single digit temperatures would kill the insects before they could repopulate in the spring and summer. However, for the third consecutive year, the temperatures in Maryland have rarely dropped into

single digits, which has allowed invasive insects, mainly the stinkbug, to continue to love throughout the winter. This does not allow the environment, such as certain crops or fruits, to have a period in which they are undisturbed by invasive insects, which can affect the crops.

I thought that this article was interesting because it tied two aspects of the environment into one: invasive species and climate change. The annual increasing temperatures, even in the winter months, have effected the environment in the aspect that the warmer temperatures allow the invasive species to harm the environment year round. This ties into global warming and really gave me the perspective that all aspects of the environment are connected, there is not any part that is more influential than another.

Ferro, J. (2017, March 06). Stink bug killers: Scientists to release Samurai wasps. Retrieved March 11, 2017, from http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/tech/science/environment/ 2017/03/06/stink-bugs-samurai-wasps-invasive-species/98593216/

This article touches mainly on the invasive stink bug that was introduced from Asia and widespread across the United States. The stink bugs destroy crops by sticking their teeth into the crop and sucking out the juice of it; last year stink bugs destroyed 18% of Mid atlantic apple production, which cost over $37M in profit loss. As a solution to this problem, scientists are utilizing another, less harmful, invasive species, the Samurai Wasp. Samurai Wasps lay their eggs inside of stink bug eggs, which destroy the stink bug eggs. Scientists are proposing that Samurai wasps are introduced into areas where stinkbugs are prominent in order to eradicate the stink bugs and make them unable to reproduce because of the destruction of their eggs by the Samurai wasp.

I thought that this article was very interesting because it talked about using a non threatening invasive species to a threatening and destructive invasive species. It made me realize that not all invasive species are destructive and harmful and usually only the bad ones are talked about in the media or made into a big deal (understandably). This article relates to environmental science because it shows how environmental scientists are able to manipulate species in order to improve the environment without having to necessarily harm the environment, such as using massive amounts of pesticide to eradicate the stink bugs would. I would like to know what happens with the Samurai wasps and if they’re able to kill off the stink bugs, I am going to continue to follow up on this news report!

French, B. (2017, February 14). FWP requests $11M to fight invasive species. Retrieved March 11, 2017, from http://mtstandard.com/news/state-and-regional/fwp-requests-m-to-fight-invasive- species/article_64d5c3a5-0f2a-5b37-9645-569446139161.html

This article talks about how the FWP is requesting $11.5M from the government over the next two years in order to fight aquatic invasive species in Montana. The major invasive species is the zebra mussel, which is projected to cost the government $3.1B over the next 10 years if the eradication process of this incredibly invasive species is not ramped up; specific statistics show that when zebra mussels clog major water pipes in Montana, the damage and the fixation process can cost up to $5,000/ hour. Montana Wildlife and Parks is requesting this major sum of money because they are worried for their irrigation systems and infrastructure, and if given the money they will use it towards the eradication of invasive species in an attempt to save such them.

I think that this article is interesting because it really shows how incredible of an impact invasive species can have on a society and what drastic financial measures that governments are willing to take in order to get rid of them. In regards to environmental science, this article shows how matters in the environment can effect humans and their ways of life in such a drastic way, and how invasive species can take such a toll on the functioning of a society. I liked this article because I had never really thought about how invasive species influenced the entirety of our country, I had thought only about major cities and states like California and Texas, but never really pondered over the fact that invasive species are effecting people across the entire country.

Nir, S. M. (2017, February 08). Downside of Being a Global Hub: Invasive Species. Retrieved March 11, 2017, from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/08/nyregion/a-new-york-battle-to- thwart-migrants-of-a-different-type.html?_r=0

This article is talking about New York City and the fact that the city is such a worldwide hub of imports and exports have consequences, one of the main consequences being that this causes invasive species to penetrate the city. Due to having some of the most travelled airports in the United States, Nir states that it is not difficult for invasive species to enter New York, and in present day there are over 100 invasive species in the city alone, making it by far the city with the most invasive species in the US. In New York alone, the annual budget for fighting invasive species is $5.5 million.

I found this article interesting because I had no idea that so many invasive species were in New York City itself, I had some idea of it but when I envisioned the invasive species I imagined them mostly in the ocean or aquatic, never in the midst of the city. This article relates to environmental science in that it connects human activity to the destruction of the environment and brings into perspective how more human-intensive areas are more likely to face environmental destruction such as invasive species. I liked this article not only because it gave me a perspective I had not thought about in the past but also made me realize how travel and importing of foreign goods can have a negative effect on the environment.

Murphy, S. (2016, October 26). Invasive Insect Threatens San Diego County’s Palm Trees. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from http:// www.kpbs.org/news/2016/oct/26/invasive-insect-threatens-san-diego- countys-palm-t/

The South American palm weevil has been terrorizing palm trees throughout San Diego, killing several hundred native palm trees since 2015. The palm weevil is originates in Central America, but has spread to North America, appearing frequently in Southern California. The weevil kills palm trees by burying their larvae in the fronds of the tree, and when the larvae hatch they eat the

fronds until the tree is dead. These insects have been destroying Southern California’s palm trees, and scientists have recently realized that they have little to no grasp on containing the situation, because the weevils have the potential to fly tens of miles each day. The weevils are beginning to threaten the $70 million ornamental palm industry in California, and while little can be done to prevent the spread of these insects, traps have been set up in Southern California and across the country to track their migration and scarcity.

This article shows another negative impact that invasive species have on the environment in general, specifically California’s environment. Palm trees are both native and a distinguishing part of California’s native coastal culture, and these insects are destroying hundreds of these trees at a time. What’s worse is that it takes months for the larvae to completely destroy the tree, so it is hard to tell if there are weevils in any one tree. This article relates to environmental science because it shows how difficult it is to maintain a healthy environment with the presence of an invasive species such as the palm weevil.

Unknown. (2016, August 31). Boaters Can Help Combat Spread of Invasive Mussels Over Labor Day Weekend. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from https://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/

2016/08/31/boaters-can-help-combat-spread-of-invasive-mussels-over-labor-day-weekend/

This article summarizes the negative effects of the Quagga and Zebra Mussels in warm California waters, and precautions boaters about the measures that they can take to prevent these mussels from spreading and potentially wrecking the interior of their vessels. The author explains how the mussels destroy the infrastructure of a boat because of their ability to multiply so quickly and clog the interior of vessels. Native to Eurasia, the zebra and quagga mussels have the ability to multiply rapidly and stick onto practically any surface with their strength. The hard part about catching the mussels before they spread profusely is that, at a young age they are undetectable to the naked eye. In order to protect California’s waters from becoming more polluted with zebra and quagga mussels, boaters are advised to undergo thorough inspection of their vessels before sailing.

This article relates to environmental science because it shows the effects that invasive species have on not only the aquatic environment, but also effect humans. By advising boaters to take such precautionary measures before going out into open water, it shows the truly big result that such microscopic organisms can have outside of their native habitats. I thought it was shocking how these Eurasian mussels could destroy such a large vessel by just existing and following its instincts to reproduce and hold onto things. It puts things into perspective to me, because usually when I think of an invasive or predator species I think of a large organism, but in this instance it is the exact opposite, yet does more damage than many larger species.

Clarke, C. (2016, August 21). The Up And Downsides of Invasive Species | KCET. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from https://www.kcet.org/redefine/the-up-and-downsides-of- invasive-species

This article talks about the ups and downs of invasive species, focusing specifically on the ones in California. Invasive species threaten 1/4 of endangered species, around 3,000 species. However, not every single type of invasive species is necessarily harmful. For example, the earth worm, while native to California, can thrive in most climates and is now found in South America, and pose little to no threat on native species. Each year, around 6 new invasive species are introduced to California, but even with that amount the damage is not severe. Even if an invasive species consumes a native species that no one species consumed in the first place, it can still take a toll on the environment. In the case of the red brome, an invasive plant species in the California Desert, even though no species consumes it, during the wet season the plant takes the major amounts of water that would otherwise go to native species, which directly effects the native species negatively.

The article relates to environmental science because, while most focus on the negatives of invasive species, this article discusses the potential upside and benefits that invasive species could have to the environment. It was interesting to read about the mutualistic and sometimes

positive effects that invasive species can have on the environment, like in the case of the earth worm; it is rare to ever hear a positive thing about invasive species. I especially thought it was interesting how an invasive plant that no other species consumed could still do harm to an ecosystem just by living there and not coming into contacts with other parts of an ecosystem.

Ridler, K. (2016, November 13). Scientists try bacteria to halt invasive cheatgrass overwhelming the West. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/ la-na-invasive-cheatgrass-20161110-story.html

In the west, including California, there has arisen a large problem with a type of grass called cheatgrass, an invasive species which is destroying native grass species and taking over their territory. To try and eliminate this grass, scientists have been using bacteria to stop the spread of the grass, which is a mixture of bacteria and herbicide. The bacteria is meant to not kill, but weaken the cheatgrass so that native plant species can eliminate them themselves and grow back stronger. One drawback of this process is an endangered species, the sage grass bird, inhabits sage grass, a type of grass that the cheatgrass has been destroying. Scientists are having a hard time finding a way to eliminate all or the majority of the cheatgrass without destroying the 500,000 mile path of sage grass that has been taken over by cheatgrass that the sage grouse needs to continue to repopulate.

This article relates to environmental science because it shows how invasive species can also effect endangered species, along with native species. In this instance, the invasive species are providing a perfect environment for the sage grouse, so scientists cannot eliminate the grass if the sage grouse is inhabiting it under the Endangered Species Act. I tink it is cool how everything ties together, as in invasive, endangered, and native species and habitats, to form one big picture. Environmental scientists are faced with a difficult task, trying to save the environment from these invasive grass species while still preserving the sage grouse.

Nero, M. (2016, November 15). County to Spray Spring Valley Neighborhood for Zika Virus. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from http://patch.com/california/lemongrove/

county-spray-spring-valley-neighborhood-zika-virus

In East San Diego, an entire neighborhood was sprayed with insecticide in an attempt to eliminate the invasive Aedes mosquitoes which were feared by citizens would spread the South American Zika virus. The Aedas mosquitos have been harmful to the community because of their ability to breed in such small bodies of water, some as small as a thimble full of water, or even inside of homes. Originally from tropical regions, citizens have concerns that the mosquitoes could potentially transmit foreign diseases if biting an infected person; the concern comes from the fact that they can reproduce so easily which would enable them to bite people and spread diseases. A 13 block region in San Diego is being hand sprayed with insecticide to try and eliminate or contain the Aedes mosquitoes in the area. The people are worried for the unknown effects it will have on their air quality and law enforcement is telling all those effected to take precautions against the mosquitos.

This article relates to the environmental science because, as a result of invasive species, the air in East San Diego will be filled with insecticide, which has an unknown effect on air quality or on the environment. Had invasive species not been present in this time and situation, there would be no need for these chemicals being sprayed into the air. The insecticide could contaminate water, harm wildlife, or even the people, and with unknown effectiveness it seems more sensible to me to just try and find another solution to the problem. This article shows the effect on the environment invasive species can have other than physically hurting an environment or its native species, in this case they are causing humans to have to take action and potentially hurt the environment as a result of their presence.