Cheng, K. (2021, October 8). Officials warn of invasive mosquito species surging in SoCal that aggressively
bites humans. FOX 5 San Diego. Retrieved February 3, 2022, from
https://fox5sandiego.com/news/california-news/officials-warn-of-invasive-mosquito-species-surging-in-socal-that-aggressively-bites-humans/ 

In early October of last year, Los Angeles County authorities started warning residents that the Aedes mosquitoes, an invasive species of tropical mosquitoes, are becoming more prevalent. This species of mosquitoes is more aggressive against humans than any other species in the area. The Aedes mosquito has been in the region since 2011, but it has become much more prevalent as of late. These mosquitoes are capable of transmitting viruses like dengue and yellow fever, and they are very hard to get rid of because they can lay hundreds of eggs in tiny bits of standing water.

Since these mosquitoes have been in the region for over a decade, it’s interesting to see why they have now become so prevalent. Regardless of what the reasoning is, this is a serious problem because it is harming people. At some point, if this mosquito population doesn’t get controlled, people are going to get bit and come down with terrible diseases. This could be a result of climate change because mosquitoes are more prevalent in warmer temperatures. I would like to know more information about the environmental impacts Aedes mosquitoes have. The article doesn’t have much information on that.

Edinger, M. (2022, February 3). Invasive species endangers boaters in San Joaquin River. KMPH. Retrieved
from https://kmph.com/news/local/invasive-species-endangers-boaters-in-san-joaquin-river 

The invasive plant species, water hyacinth, a weed originally from the Amazon Basin, is taking over the Central Valley’s waterways. This plant is a popular decoration in fish tanks and isolated ponds, but it has expanded to several bodies of water, including the San Joaquin River. This means that it’s getting dangerous for people to recreate in the rivers. When the weed grows freely, it can form a dense mat along the water while becoming ratty and dangerous underwater. This weed gets boats stuck in the river, and it clogs the cooling system and jets. This has created several problems.

This invasive species is making it challenging for very important actions to occur. The sheriff and the fire department need to be able to travel along the river in case someone needs to be rescued. This is forcing people in California to take action on this invasive species, but it’s costing the state millions of dollars, which includes other aquatic invasive species. The state is using herbicide treatments, heavy machinery, and other organisms to try to limit the water hyacinth. These actions are necessary, so it’ll be interesting to see if this works, or if it’ll just create other problems.

Savitsky, Z. (2022, January 7). Meet the Mosquitofish: California scientists debate whether it’s menace or
messiah. The Mercury News. Retrieved February 3, 2022, from
https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/01/04/meet-the-mosquitofish-california-scientists-debate-whether-its-menace-or-messiah/ 

The mosquitofish ranks among the world’s worst invasive species, and it was introduced to California in a Sacramento lily pond almost a century ago. But it plays a huge role in keeping the disease-carrying mosquito population down. California has recorded 74 deaths from the mosquito-borne West Nile virus in the last five years. The problem with the mosquitofish is that it threatens biodiversity. For example, there were thousands of endangered larval Santa Cruz long-toed salamanders in a north Monterey County pond a few years ago. When the mosquitofish was introduced to the pond, there were only 10 larvae months later.

In the general field of environmental science, people are forced to make tough decisions because there are pros and cons relating to the environment for every decision. This also relates to other decisions such as construction projects. The benefits and problems that mosquitofish bring to ecosystems are a perfect example of the tough decisions people have to make. Do they make the decision that will save human lives, or the decision that will enhance biodiversity? In my opinion, I think you should make efforts to reduce the mosquitofish population because I believe there are other ways to combat these mosquitoes.

Fuller, T. (2022, February 1). The rampaging pigs of the San Francisco Bay Area. The New York Times.
Retrieved February 2, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/01/us/pigs-san-francisco-california.html 

Feral pigs in the San Francisco Bay Area, which are an invasive species, are causing many problems for the environment and humans. “They are a pest to just about everybody and everything,” said Eric Sklar, member of the California Fish and Game Commission. Sklar helped write a bill that would make it easier for hunters to kill feral pigs. They are tearing up people’s yards and public areas around the Bay Area. Feral pigs are environmentally destructive. They were killing the purple amole, an endangered purple flower in central California.

Based on the paragraph above, it is pretty clear that the feral pigs are an environmentally destructive invasive species, so it’s important that California and the Bay Area take measures to deal with the feral pigs. By passing this law, the feral pig population will likely go down, which will revive some of the important populations in the Bay Area. It’s also important to study the impacts feral pigs have on other populations in order to make sure that being allowed to kill them is necessary. I think it’s clear that the feral pigs have done more harm than good.

Miller, J. (2021, December 27). Four California frog populations proposed for Endangered Species Act
Protection. Center for Biological Diversity. Retrieved January 25, 2022, from
https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/four-california-frog-populations-proposed-for-endangered-species-act-protection-2021-12-27/ 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed Endangered Species Act protection for four populations of foothill yellow legged-frogs in response to a Center for Biological Diversity petition and lawsuit. These frogs are found in the Sierra Nevada and Central and Southern California, but they have disappeared from more than half of its historic habitat in the state. Invasive species have been one of the major causes to the declining populations of these frog species, as well as climate change, disease, and pesticide use. Advocate, Jeff Miller said these frogs “are such an integral part of our natural stream ecosystems.”

Because these frogs “are such an integral part of our natural stream ecosystems,” it is important we take measures to protect their habitat to revive their populations. Limiting invasive species is one way to restore their populations, and I’m sure the Endangered Species Act will help with that. I think it’s super important for ecosystems to have a lot of biodiversity, and restoring the foothill yellow-legged frog populations in California will help with biodiversity. I also think it will help with other populations in those ecosystems.

Whiting, F. (2021, June 17). BNF officials seek comment on Invasive and Other Select Plant
Management Project and public meetings. Sheridan Media.
https://sheridanmedia.com/news/49976/bnf-officials-seek-comment-on-invasive-and-other-select-plant-management-project-and-public-meetings/. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is looking for comments from the public on a Bighorn National Forest project. This forest has been the victim of invasive species such as Medusahead and Ventenata grasses. These grasses affect native plant and wildlife habitats, reduce the health of watersheds, and increase the risk of wildfires. In this project, there will be multiple tools used to treat and manage these invasive species. This includes education, aerial and ground-based herbicide application, prescribed fire, and more.

I think that members of the Bighorn National Forest are hoping this project passes because I think it’s important to protect these national parks and forests as they are an important part of the environment and the habitats for numerous species. One of the main ways to protect them is to manage the spread of invasive species. I think it’s great that the public will have a say in this because it’s good to hear a different perspective from a large group of people that care and will use the Bighorn National Forest.

Earl, E. (2021, June 2). Invasive groups control unwelcome plants and animals on the peninsula. KDLL.
https://www.kdll.org/post/invasive-groups-control-unwelcome-plants-and-animals-peninsula#stream/0. 

Although the ecosystems in the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska are relatively strong, there are still numerous invasive species that affect the environment. Organizations that work to prevent invasive species say that some people will plant an ornamental plant and not realize that it can reproduce and spread to other places. For example, orange hawkweed has been a problem and a top priority for these organizations. Also, people are transporting fish to different lakes, which is illegal. This includes the northern pike, which has taken over the Kenai Peninsula.

These invasive species are a serious problem for Alaska because other species are struggling to stay alive as a result. If you think about it, these species could also spread to other parts of the world, which just makes the problem worse. These organizations are now spending their time trying to solve this problem when they can be working on things that can improve the environment, as opposed to preventing it from getting worse. Some people need to realize that laws are there to protect the world, and there is good reasoning behind these laws.

Armstrong, K., & Crowder, M. (2021, June 17). For greater sage grouse success, local control matters.
TheHill.  https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/energy-environment/558935-for-greater-sage-grouse-success-local-control-matters.

Representative Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota and Michael Crowder, president of the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and a manager of a ranch in Eastern Washington, believe that land management decisions should be made locally using science. They claim that while the Endangered Species Act has good intentions, it frequently does not take into account the input from local organizations. Specifically, they argue that putting the sage-grouse, which is found in 11 western states, on the endangered species list would take away efforts that local people are doing to protect this species such as preventing wildfires and invasive species.

This article shows that people at the political level and in high positions are making efforts to protect endangered species, which includes preventing invasive species from affecting their lives. They both argued that it is important to have a biologically diverse habitat. I think it’s interesting that these two people are somewhat a part of federal positions and they argue that decisions should be made from local organizations. It is good to see that there are people in this country who care about protecting the environment.

Vennix, M. (2021, May 19). Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas spread information about
invasive species. WJMN – UPMatters.com.
https://www.upmatters.com/outdoors/cooperative-invasive-species-management-areas-spread-information-about-invasive-species/. 

In Michigan, as summer approaches and the weather gets warmer, invasive species begin to thrive. Elise Desjarlais, the program coordinator for Lake 2 Lake CISMA, an organization that aims to prevent the spread of invasive species, says that the main focus for them is to limit the spread of garlic mustard. This plant is negatively affecting plants and animals in the area, which makes it hard to grow food that depends on pollinators. The organization has suggested that people plant native species and clean up before going to a different trial in order to limit the spread of invasive species.

This issue is important because the arrival of a new species affects its surroundings in some way, shape or form, and people are looking for ways to protect the environment from invasive species. I think that society should be grateful for these organizations because a threat to the environment could lead to a threat to humanity. I think that as soon as issues related to the environment impact humans, then people will take these issues seriously.

Take care to stop the spread of invasive species. mininggazette.com. (2021, June 8).
https://www.mininggazette.com/opinion/editorial/2021/06/take-care-to-stop-the-spread-of-invasive-species/. 

Wild Rivers Invasive Species Coalition and PlayCleanGo started PlayCleanGo Awareness Week, which stretches from Tuesday, June 8 to Saturday, June 12. The goal of this event is to educate people on ways to prevent the spread of invasive species and pests while enjoying the outdoors. Almost 50% of endangered or threatened species are at risk due to invasive species. The two organizations have given some easy steps to limit the spread of invasive species such as cleaning shoes and staying on designated trails and buying firewood where it will be burnt. Every bit of prevention helps solve this issue.

This article is related to environmental science because it shows how organizations across the country are making efforts to protect the environment so that people can live in a world that is safe and healthy. This includes stopping the spread of invasive species, which can impact the economy, food supply, and public health. I think it’s important that events like these occur because it gives people the opportunity to learn about ways they can help the environment. What’s more important is that people take steps beyond learning about it by taking action to save our world.