Astoria
Park Elementary School
Tallahassee,
FL
Program for Gifted Students and Able Learners
Fall 2006
Mrs. Sandy Beck ,Teacher
Alien Invaders Glossary
Aquatic
Growing or living in water
Biodiversity
The variety of plant and animal life present in an ecosystem.
Ecology
The study of interactions between organisms and their environment.
Ecosystem
A system formed by the interaction of animals, plants and microorganisms with each other and their environment
Exotic
Species that are not native to Florida and were introduced by human activity. They are brought in either intentionally, as ornamentals or pets, or accidentally, as hitchhikers that arrive at airports, seaports or through the mail.
Synonyms: Alien, introduced, non-native and non-indigenous.
Hitchhiker
An organism that uses another organism or vehicle to get from one place to another
Examples: seeds that stick to clothes and fur, insects that hide in fruit or packing material, aquatic plants that catch on boat propellers
Invasive
Exotic species that are not constrained by the natural factors that existed in their native habitat – other native species, diseases, predators and climate. Their rapid growth and spread has the potential of dominating entire natural ecosystems, resulting in economic or environmental harm or harm to human health or well being. Not all exotic species are invasive.
Synonym: Invasive, pest or nuisance species
Monoculture
A single species that dominates an entire area. Examples of intentional monocultures are lawns and pine plantations. Sometimes a monoculture is unintentional, as when an invasive plant, like Brazilian pepper, crowds out all competition and dominates an area. Monocultures produce the opposite effect of biodiversity.
Native
Naturally occurring plants, animals or other organisms that have evolved in a local area. In the U.S. native plants are species that were here prior to European colonization in the early 16th century.
Synonym: Indigenous.
Noxious
Weeds that are a serious agricultural threat in Florida. It is unlawful to sell, plant or release any noxious weed regulated by the Florida Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Pathogen
A microorganism that causes disease.
Pathway
The route an invasive species takes to enter or spread throughout a non-native ecosystem is called a pathway.
Species
A group of animals or plants that are similar, are able to mate and have offspring and have a common name.
Terrestrial
Living on or growing from land
Vector
An organism or a force of nature that helps a species move to a new area. Vectors can be humans, wind, floods, insects, or other factors. Exotic plants, animals, or disease causing microorganisms may hitchhike to a new location as a “passenger” on a vector – boat, train, airplane, automobile or animal. A strange seed may come loose from a car tire tread, bounce off a train, or be eaten by a bird and deposited somewhere else. Because of the rapid expansion of world trade, the number of opportunities for accidental introductions of exotic species is greater than ever. Every ship coming into port, every plane landing, and every truck crossing a border is a potential vector for invasive species.
Weed
A plant that grows where it is not wanted and is considered to be useless or harmful.
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