National Geographic.  (2022, August 18).  Destructive lionfish are invading Brazil.  Retrieved 

August 21, 2022, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/lionfish-invading-brazil-coast-invasive-species

Lion Fish have earned the name the most destructive invasive fish.  They disrupt food chains and eat local fish. They have been spreading south in recent years to places such as Brazil.  Another place they have gone is the Mediterranean Sea, they came from the Indian Ocean and Suez Canal. They are predicted to eventually reach west Africa.  Lionfish have poisonous backs so they are hard to remove, they also are very good at adapting to new food sources and environments, hence why they are so damaging.

This article is related to Environmental science because it talks about how an invasive species is changing an environment and potentially the world if nothing is done soon.  Invasive species are damaging not only the species in the environment, but species from outside of it. In the case of the lionfish, they eat other fish, this disrupts how many fish the land and air animals get.  And if some land or air animals only get their food from the ocean they could die out completely.

Nature World News. (2022, July 29).  Cats are now considered an alien species in poland.  

Retrieved August 21, 2022, from https://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/52232/20220729/cats-now-considered-as-alien-invasive-species-in-poland.htm

Cats have been labeled an invasive species because they are killing local birds and other small animals.  They have been declared as an invasive species because in their pursuit to hunt these small animals scientists claim that they have hurt biodiversity.  Cats are so good at killing these birds they can even kill them while they are flying.

This article is related to Environmental Science because it is about an invasive species harming biodiversity.  The cats are making the birds and other small animals develop traits that will help them survive or hide from cat attacks rather than focus on more important things like how the animals could better adapt to the ever changing environment.  This happens in more places than just Poland, invasive species change the ecosystems and food webs that they are brought into.

Reuters. (2022, July 29).  Invasive frog and snake species cost the world economy $16 billion, 

study shows.  Retrieved August 21, 2022, from https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/invasive-frog-snake-species-cost-world-economy-16-bln-study-shows-2022-07-28/

The American Bullfrog and brown tree snake cost the world economy $16 billion between the years of 1986 and 2020.  They did this by damaging crops and causing power outages.  They cause outages by crawling into electrical equipment.  The brown tree snake is breeding a lot and their numbers in recent years have skyrocketed in places like Guam and the Mariana islands.

This article is related to Environmental Science because it is about how invasive species are attempting to adapt to a new environment.  For instance, the snakes are crawling in and on electrical equipment probably looking for warmth or shelter.  They also are damaging crops by trying to find food in this new environment.  Recently they have made their way into the exotic pet trade because they are only found in certain parts of the world.

BBC News. (2022, August 8). The crab invading the Mediterranean Sea. Retrieved August 21, 

2022, from https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220809-how-the-mediterranean-became-the-worlds-most-invaded-sea

Blue Crabs are an invasive species to the mediterranean sea.   Their habitat of origin is the Indo-Pacific waters and they made their way to the Mediterranean when the Suez Canal was opened back in 1898.  These crabs reproduce 4 times a year and produce over 100,000 babies per female.  They are also very aggressive; they like to nip fishing line, fishing nets, other fish, and fisherman.  At first their arrival distributed the fishing business, but over time it helped grow the business by becoming one of the most sought-after seafoods in the region.

This article is related to Environmental Science because it is about how we changed a species desired environment to a different location.  This change was by accident and of course there were many problems this new species caused to the ecosystem, but it benefits humans and the fishing industry greatly.  These crabs have become a common resource for the people of the region that are less fortunate.  Because of the abundance of this crab, many people that are poor can fish for this crab and sell or eat them.

The New York Times. (2022, August 15). Pigs to the Rescue: An Invasive Species 

Helped Save Australia’s Crocodiles. Retrieved August 21, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/15/science/invasive-species-pigs-crocodiles.html 

Wild pigs have been a problem in Australia for many years because they destroy the landscape without any predators or way to lower their population.  Recently the pigs have started to go to the crocodile’s natural habitat: the swamps.  They go here for the drinking water that they desperately need, but the crocs have become lazy hunters, so whenever a pig takes a sip from the swamp it’s like a dinner bell for the crocs. 

This article is related to Environmental Science because it talks about how populations of invasive species are kept in check and how invasive species can be helpful.  The pigs are an invasive species to Australia and they destroy the land, the crocodiles are helping by lowering the pigs numbers.  This is beneficial to the landscape of Australia because if there are less wild pigs, not as much damage can be done.  This is beneficial to the native species, the crocodiles, because they get a free meal.  The crocodiles were endangered before the pigs moved to the swamps, but now they will have enough food to survive and breed.

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.