Biodiversity Activity 1 Resources

Global Invaders

Overview:  People have intentionally and unintentionally moved plant, animal, and other species to new environments. Many of these species cause environmental, and sometimes economic, harm. In this activity, students will research invasive species in the U.S., and then investigate the presence and impacts of invasive species in their own community.

Earth & Sky Radio Correlations
This activity can be supplemented with related Earth & Sky radio shows that you can download for use in your classroom. Learn about the PLT and Earth & Sky Initiative.

Related Earth & Sky Shows:
 - Sheep:  The New Weapon Against Invasive Plants 
 - Neil Sampson Says Climate Change Speeding Flux of Forest Ecosystems   
 - Sally Collins: 'No one expected forest fires to become so big a factor, so quickly'  
 - Peter Moyle Says Freshwater Stresses Causing Global Fish Decline

Additional Resources:

Emerald Ash Borer - 2007 article discussing impacts of this invasive beetle from Asia

“The Green Menace” 18 minute video about the Emerald Ash Borer from the USFS, USDA, and APHIS

“UC Davis NewsWatch: Invasive Plants” 2 minute video

“Invaders” episode and resources – part of National Geographic’s Strange Days on Plant Earth

Invasive Species video podcasts from Explore Biodiversity

Teaching About Controversial Topics in Science
This new series in NSTA Reports is based on the NSTA Press book Thinking Scientifically About Controversial Issues: Clones, Cats, and Chemicals. The book examines 10 dilemmas from the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, technology, and mathematics to help challenge students to confront scientific and social problems that offer few black-and-white solutions. It provides the facts and the framework to provoke classroom debates.