Tylan, C., & Langkilde, T. (2023, January 16). Native eastern fence lizards change their bodies and behavior in response to invasive red imported fire ants. Phys.org. Retrieved January 17, 2023, from https://phys.org/news/2023-01-native-eastern-lizards-bodies-behavior.htm l#google_vignette

Eastern fence lizards are evolving to cope with the presence of invasive red imported fire ants, which are able to use their stings to kill these lizards. The lizards have evolved to this new threat in various different ways. Adult lizards retain the behavior of flicking the ants away. In addition, lizards in areas with the ants have been shown to have longer legs and a greater immunity to their venom, which might come from consuming them. However, it is not known how these changes might impact the lizards’ chances of survival in other ways.

This article is related to environmental science because it demonstrates how the eastern fence lizard is adapting to changes in its environment caused by the presence of an invasive species that poses a threat to its survival. I find it very impressive how quickly these lizards have evolved to survive the red imported red fire ants. I usually think of evolution as a process that takes thousands if not millions of years, but the eastern fence lizard shows how it can occur in a much shorter span of time. However, I am also worried about the ways that these adaptations could actually harm the lizard. For example, the article states that the lizards’ flicking of attacking ants disrupts their camouflage and makes them vulnerable to attacks from other predators. The authors also worry that the lizard becoming more resistant to the ants’ venom could mean that their immune system is less able to fight back against other threats, such as viruses. It just goes to show that just because some animals might be able to adapt to invasive species, it doesn’t mean that humans shouldn’t work to prevent their spread or mitigate their impacts.

Ricciardi, A. (2022, October 13). Ballast water management is reducing the flow of invasive species into the Great Lakes. Phys.org. Retrieved January 17, 2023, from https://phys. org/news/2022-10-ballast-invasive-species-great-lakes.html

Saltwater flushing, where ballast tanks are flushed with seawater to the point that the tanks are as salty as the ocean, has proven to be extremely effective in reducing the number of invasive species introduced into the Great Lakes. Previously, inbound ships were required to exchange their freshwater ballast with saltwater before entering the Great Lakes. However, this was not required for ships with no pumpable ballast, and the residual water in these ships led to the continued spread of invasive species before saltwater flushing was mandated by Canada and the United States of America in 2006 and 2008, respectively.

This article is related to environmental science because the invasive species mentioned in this article, including the bighead carp, black carp, fish-hook waterflea, grass carp, Ponto-Caspian amphipod, silver carp, tench, and zebra mussel are harming the ecosystems of the Great Lakes by overconsuming nutrients that native species need to survive and rapidly increasing their populations. Saltwater flushing greatly reduces the number of invasive species introduced to the Great Lakes via ballast water, reducing the amount the ecosystems will be further negatively affected by them. I’m happy that saltwater flushing is proving to be so useful in decreasing the further introduction of invasive species to the Great Lakes. I’m also relieved that the Canadian and American governments are taking the threat of invasive species in the Great Lakes seriously enough that they are mandating saltwater flushing before ships enter there. Saltwater flushing seems to be so effective that I am wondering if we could use it to reduce the number of invasive species being introduced to other freshwater systems in other places. However, I hope that the governments and people of the U.S. and Canada continue to fight back against the invasive species already in the Great Lakes and prevent their further spread in addition to attempting to prevent further introduction of invasive species into the lakes. It is important that we work on both prevention and mitigation.

Public advisory: WSDA says check your trees, wreathes for invasive species. (2022, December 19) KXRO News Radio. Retrieved January 17, 2023, from https://www.kx ro.com/public-advisory-wsda-says-check-your-trees-wreathes-for-invasive-species/

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (i.e., WSDA) is asking Washington residents to check their trees, wreathes, and other holiday plants for elongate hemlock scale (i.e., EHS). EHS is an invasive insect species that feeds on cedar, fir, hemlock, pine, spruce, and yew. People are advised to buy locally grown trees and cut greens. Any plants suspected to be contaminated by EHS should be photographed, and one should email the images and where the plant was purchased to PestProgram@agr.wa.gov. The plants should then be cut up, double-bagged, and thrown in the trash.

This article relates to environmental science because EHS is an invasive species that, if not controlled, will reproduce quickly and harm many cedar, fir, hemlock, pine, spruce, and yew by overfeeding on them. This would cause damage to the local ecosystems as these plants are producers, and this article tells people how to mitigate the negative impacts of this invasive species and prevent its spread. Once again, I am glad that state governments are taking action against the spread of invasive species, but since EHS is a small insect that, if not in large quantities, might be very hard to spot, I don’t think everyone will dispose of their infested holiday plants. However, I do think that this warning will slow, if not completely stop, the spread of EHS in Washington. It’s also good that the actions that must be taken to dispose of infested plants are relatively simple, meaning that more people are likely to follow them. Plus, people will most likely check their plants after seeing this warning because even if they don’t care that EHS is an invasive species, they probably don’t want insects in their homes.

McLeod, C. (2022, December 20). Forest health workshop educates landowners, timber professionals on invasive species. Upper Michigans Source.com. Retrieved January 17, 2023, from https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2022/12/20/forest-health-workshop-e ducates-landowners-timber-professionals-invasive-species/

In Iron Mountain, Michigan 45 landowners and timber professionals gathered at a workshop hosted by the Wild Rivers Invasive Species Coalition (i.e., WRISC). There, they learned about the health of upper Michigan’s forests, including hearing speakers talk about invasive species and what programs are available to them to help combat their effects. Some invasive species mentioned at the workshop were common buckthorn, the emerald ash borer, and oak wilt. Lindsay Peterson, a WRISC coordinator, stated that there was a “high turnout” to the event, which hopefully “means that people care about these issues.”

This article relates to environmental science because it describes three invasive species that are present in upper Michigan. These are common buckthorn, the emerald ash borer, and oak wilt. The emerald ash borer is a beetle native to Asia that feeds on ash trees, and oak wilt is a fungal disease native to the midwestern United States. Because all three of these invasive species are not in their native environment when they are in upper Michigan forests, they are able to reproduce and spread rapidly, consuming resources used by native organisms, which leads to a decline in the populations of local organisms, disrupting upper Michigan’s various forest ecosystems. I am really glad that people are taking the threat of invasive species seriously. It isn’t that much of a surprise to me that people are, as the danger nonnative species pose is not really a hot button topic like climate change, but it is still good to know that people are taking it seriously. If people are voluntarily showing up to this workshop, it means that they must care about this issue, which means that they will likely follow the recommendations presented to them there about how to reduce the negative impacts of these invasive species. Therefore, I am hopeful that, with the right programs and plans, landowners and timber professionals will be able to get common buckthorn, the emerald ash borer, and oak wilt under better control in upper Michigan’s forests.

Flowers, T. (2022, October 27). Invasive zebra mussels have “infested” a Colorado lake for the first time, raising fears they could spread. The Colorado Sun. Retrieved January 17, 2023, from https://coloradosun.com/2022/10/27/zebra-mussels-highline-lake-colorado/

Despite the efforts of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, invasive zebra mussels have officially “infested” Highline Lake. The first adult mussel was found in the lake on September 14, 2022, and almost 12 more were found there on October 21 and 23. Zebra mussels are able to rapidly reproduce and spread, and their presence in Highline Lake could disrupt the local ecosystem and lead to economic damage. Colorado officials are hoping that a more rigorous inspection and cleaning of boats entering or leaving the lake will prevent the spread of the zebra mussels to other bodies of water.

This article is related to environmental science because zebra mussels consume nutrients needed by other fish and plants in the ecosystem. In addition, the mussels’ high levels of filter feeding can alter food sources in lakes and reservoirs. Both of these consequences negatively affect the ecosystem, resulting in more local creatures dying than normal, and people must work to mitigate the effects of this invasive species and prevent them from spreading to other bodies of water. I am not entirely surprised that zebra mussels have continued to spread across the United States, as they can live for up to 27 days outside of water under the right conditions, and one mussel can produce up to 1 million babies in a year, so they seem to be able to spread very quickly and easily if the right precautions are not taken. I’m glad that Colorado authorities are taking the threat of zebra mussels so seriously, but in my opinion, I think the species will continue to slowly spread across the state, as it seems to just take one person who doesn’t inspect and clean their boat properly to spread them to another body of water, and while the efforts that authorities are making to prevent their spread is impressive, I find it hard to believe that they will be able to catch everyone whose boats contain zebra mussels, but hopefully, I will be proven wrong in the future.

Yang, M. (2022, May 21). ‘Extremely active’ jumping worms that can leap a foot raise alarm in California. The Guardian. Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://www.theguardian.com/us -news/2022/may/21/invasive-jumping-worms-amynthas-agrestis-california

A few months before late May, 2022, Asian jumping worms were spotted in California. Native to east Asia, this invasive species moves wildly when handled, including thrashing and jumping up to a foot in the air. They have even been known to detach body parts. Experts have suggested various ways to eliminate the worms, which includes using mustard pour and transparent polyethylene to bagging them and exposing them to the sun. Experts are also warning people that the worms can live in mulch, potting mixes, and potted plants and can migrate through people raking, blowing, or recycling leaves.

This article is related to environmental science because Asian jumping worms can harm California’s ecosystem. The species quickly chews through fallen leaves, which destroys the top layer of forest soil, which many plants and animals need to survive. For example, many trees in hardwood forests need thick layers of fallen leaves to serve as a rooting medium to grow. Asian jumping worms are also hermaphroditic, allowing them to reproduce without mating and spread quickly. I didn’t know that fallen leaves were so integral to maintaining California’s ecosystem, and now I understand the threat these worms can pose to the environment. I wonder how effective the methods suggested by experts are at ridding the environment of this invasive species. It seems to me that individual action will not be enough, and, without state government interference, the worm population will continue to spread throughout California, causing untold damage to the ecosystem. I want to know if California’s government is taking any action to combat the worm’s spread. Perhaps these worms have a natural predator in east Asia, and introducing that organism in California could help keep the population of Asian jumping worms under control, though there’s always a risk that the worm’s natural predator, if it exists, would also become an invasive species when introduced to the state.

Varian, E. (2022, May 27). California feral pig hunting bill wins state Senate OK. The Press Democrat. Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news /california-feral-pig-hunting-bill-wins-state-senate-ok/ 

On May 27, 2022, the California state Senate approved a bill that would allow people to kill an unlimited number of feral pigs for a $15 annual fee. Before, people had to pay $15 for each kill. Feral pigs are descended from pigs released by European colonists around 250 years ago. They are non-native; invasive; and have been blamed for causing property damage, harming the environment, and spreading diseases to humans. The bill would also have to be passed by the state Assembly to become law.  

This article relates to environmental science because it describes how feral swine, which is an invasive species, can harm California’s natural environment. These pigs are destructive and are endangering sensitive habitats and other animals. Since California is a fairly liberal state, I’m not surprised that it’s taking action to decrease the numbers of feral pigs there. I am confident that the bill will pass in the state Assembly, as these animals seem to be doing significant damage to humans, their property, native species, and the environment. I like how this article shows the audience the bureaucratic side of environmentalism. It’s not just local groups that are trying to help the environment recover from damage directly or indirectly caused by humans. State governments and the federal government are also taking action to try to help the environment, such as this bill, which makes it easier for Californians to hunt and kill feral pigs. I would be interested in seeing what other laws and policies state governments have enacted to combat the spread of invasive species and if the political climate of states affected how much action was taken by their governments.

Nguyen, L. (2022, April 15). Patch of invasive algae species discovered about 1.5 miles away from China Cove in Newport Harbor. Daily Pilot. Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2022-04-15/patch-of-invasive-algae-species-discovered-about-1-5-miles-away-from-china-cove-in-newport-harbor 

In late March 2022, an approximately 5.5 acre patch of Caulerpa prolifera, an invasive species of algae, was discovered near Collins Island in Newport Harbor. The presence of this algae in Newport Harbor was first discovered in March 2021, and, although it seemed like all of it was removed, another patch has appeared this year. Native to Florida and being best suited for tropical and subtropical habitats, Caulerpa prolifera was first spotted in California in China Cove. This new population is set to be removed in the early summer.

This article relates to environmental science because it shows how Caulerpa prolifera is able to survive and even thrive in its new environment. The algae can recolonize through fragmentation, which means that small pieces of the plant can become plants capable of reproduction. This means that algae populations might resurface even after humans remove every individual Caulerpa prolifera because small pieces of the algae might still be present in the water. In addition, the algae has situated itself in the environment near Collins Island in different ways. Fragments of the plant are floating in the water, while other individuals are actually planted in the sediment. While Caulerpa prolifera doesn’t seem to be harmful to humans, officials say that its presence could unpredictably affect the local ecosystem. I am impressed that people are acting so swiftly to remove this invasive algae from Newport Harbor. They don’t wait for conditions to get really bad, and I think that will help them be able to consistently get the local population of the plant under control. I also want to know more about fragmentation and how pieces of algae are able to recreate a colony. Is there a way to combat this? If there isn’t, I find it unlikely that people will be able to completely eliminate the algae population there. However, I am confident that they will be able to keep it under control if they continue to act swiftly.

Neely, C. (2022, February 17). A quiet fight for soil is unfolding between invasive and native plant species. Monterey County Weekly. Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://www.monte reycountyweekly.com/news/cover/a-quiet-fight-for-soil-is-unfolding-between-invasive-and-native-plant-species/article_436b26e6-8f71-11ec-8aa7-e7ea37c04755.html

In Monterey County, the invasive plant species ice plant, eucalyptus tree, jubata grass, and french broom have almost completely taken over the ecosystem, reducing biodiversity as their presence decreases the populations of native plant species. The residents of Monterey County are taking several approaches to push back against the spread of these invasive plants, including attempting to completely eradicate the species and slowly phasing out the invasive plants so that they are eventually replaced with native species. However, some populations of invasive plants, such as ice plant, are still being cultivated due to their physical appearance.  

This article relates to environmental science because it describes how the invasive species ice plant, eucalyptus tree, jubata grass, and french broom are negatively affecting the ecosystem of Monterey County. Having been brought to California by humans for practical or aesthetic reasons, these plants have spread rapidly due to a lack of natural predators and genes that allow them to reproduce quickly and abundantly. These plants have negatively affected Monterey County’s ecosystem in many ways, which include being especially susceptible to forest fires, leaving no resources for native plants, blocking native plants’ access to sunlight, and/or changing the chemical composition of their new habitat to their benefit at the expense of native species. I was surprised by the fact that not everyone was in favor of completely exterminating the invasive species. One reason, in the case of eucalyptus trees, was that many animals have now taken to resting or finding food in the trees, and cutting them down could lead to a decrease in the populations of these animals, leading to some people supporting gradually replacing eucalyptus trees with native trees. I never thought about the not negative effects that invasive species would have on the populations of some of Monterey County’s native organisms, but this just goes to show how quickly some animals can adapt to changes in their environment. Some people are still cultivating patches of ice plant, which is shocking to me, given how much we know about how it hurts biodiversity and native plants. I did not realize that so much of Monterey County was overtaken by species of invasive plants. However, it is good that people are making an effort to halt their spread and make the ecosystem sustainable again, though I hope that people can agree on a general strategy of how they will continue to do this, as different groups have different ideas, which often conflict with each other, leading to less progress being made. I personally don’t know enough about each approach to decide which one to support.

Edinger, M. (2022, February 2). Invasive species endangers boaters in San Joaquin River. Fox 26 News. Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://kmph.com/news/local/invasive-species-en dangers-boaters-in-san-joaquin-river

An invasive plant species known as water hyacinth has been rapidly growing in the Central Valley’s waterways. The plant is completely blanketing parts of the San Joaquin River, endangering humans by clogging up the internal mechanisms of boats, preventing them from moving. The plant is also harming the ecosystem by preventing people from retrieving trash left in the river. The California Division of Boating and Waterways is trying to combat the spread of water hyacinth through the use of herbicide, physical removal, and planthoppers. The CBW is also working to create new strategies to control the spread of the plant.

This article is related to environmental science because the population density of water hyacinth in the San Joaquin River has increased so much that it is preventing people from collecting trash in the river. This trash will most likely harm the animals living in the San Joaquin River, leading to the decrease of native populations, which would interfere with the interactions between organisms living in the river, showing how invasive species can indirectly harm native species and negatively affect environments. I was not particularly surprised that water hyacinth had rapidly spread after being accidentally released into the wild, since it is native to the Amazon Basin in South America, and you always run the risk of creating a new invasive species when you take a population of organisms out of their native environment. However, I was surprised by the fact that the sheer volume of the plant in the San Joaquin River was stopping boats from moving, as an individual plant doesn’t seem that big, so there must be a large amount of them to interfere with machinery in this way. In addition, I find it interesting how the fact that the plant is covering the surface of the river is preventing trash from being collected, which is a way that it is indirectly harming the environment that I never would have thought of. However, I am glad that the California Division of Boating and Waterways is attempting to push back against the spread of the plant, though it was disheartening to hear that they will probably never be able to completely rid the San Joaquin River of water hyacinth.