Native, non-native, and invasive Alberta plants Flashcards Preview

Fundamentals of Plant Biology > Native, non-native, and invasive Alberta plants > Flashcards

Flashcards in Native, non-native, and invasive Alberta plants Deck (25)
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1
Q

What is a native species?

A

A species that has been in an area for a long period of time and has co-evolved with other native species so that they don’t outcompete each other. They are adapted to local conditions

2
Q

How sensitive are native species to disturbances?

A

Usually pretty sensitive

3
Q

What 3 trees are important native species in the Aspen parkland?

A

Trembling aspen (a keystone species), white spruce, Manitoba maple

4
Q

What 3 shrubs are important native species in the Aspen parkland?

A

Saskatoons, red-osier dogwood, chokecherry

5
Q

What 3 native species are very important in the Fescue prairies?

A

Rough fescue, prairie crocus, two-grooved milkvetch

6
Q

What is a non-native species?

A

A species that has been brought from elsewhere and introduced into the ecosystem, but it isn’t outcompeting the native species and causing problems

7
Q

When would a non-native species be good?

A

If it fills a similar niche to a native plant that is relatively rare. They can help out pollinators and be used in agriculture

8
Q

Is the non-native European mountain ash bad for the ecosystem?

A

No, it has a very similar role to the Western mountain ash. The European mountain ash is taller and is more common than the Western mountain ash. They are both essential survival food for birds in the winter, so healthier bird populations can be supported

9
Q

What is a weed?

A

A plant that is growing somewhere we don’t want it to

10
Q

Are all non-native species weeds?

A

No, what we call a weed is pretty arbitrary and has no ecological significance

11
Q

What is an invasive species?

A

A non-native species that is out of control and is out-competing everything else in the ecosystem

12
Q

Are all weeds invasive species?

A

No, but a lot of them are

13
Q

What are the two leading causes of biodiversity loss worldwide?

A

Habitat loss and invasive species

14
Q

Why do invasive species end up outcompeting native species?

A

They haven’t been co-evolving with the local population, so they have a huge advantage coming in

15
Q

What are the 3 ways to manage an invasive species before it invades?

A
  1. How sensitive is a particular environment to invasion
  2. The biology and potential impact of the invasive species
  3. Regular monitoring to catch the invasion early and control it
16
Q

What are 5 ways we control weeds?

A

Soil management, manual removal, herbicides, biological control, encouraging native plant growth

17
Q

What are 4 things to consider when managing an invasive species?

A
  1. How much has it already spread
  2. What will the impact be
  3. What is the value of the habitat
  4. How hard is it to control
18
Q

Why do we need to consider how much the species has spread while trying to manage an invasive species?

A

A widespread species is extremely hard to control, so higher priority will be given to species that are in fewer places

19
Q

Why do we need to consider what the impact of the species will be while trying to manage an invasive species?

A

Will it threaten agriculture, grazing, or native ecosystems and how much

20
Q

Why do we need to consider what the value of the habitat is while trying to manage an invasive species?

A

Something that damages a highly disturbed site will be given less priority than something that disrupts a forest

21
Q

Why are dandelions and plantains not considered noxious weeds under the Alberta Weed Act?

A

They are absolutely impossible to control because they’re so common and widespread

22
Q

Why is Common Mullen considered a noxious weed under the Alberta Weed Act even though it could be used for land reclamation?

A

It is easy to control

23
Q

What is the story of Himalayan Balsam?

A

It was brought over initially because it was pretty and looked like an orchid, but now it’s out of control and erodes soil along riverbanks. However, it is great for reestablishing pollinators

24
Q

What is the story of Spotted Knapweed?

A

Very much an invasive species. It stunts the growth of other plants by releasing chemicals and destroys grazing habitats

25
Q

What is the story of Garlic Mustard?

A

Uses chemicals to kill off surrounding plants and their mycorrhizae. It isn’t invasive in Europe, where it was from, since it coevolved with everything there and they can deal with its shenanigans