http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/02/invasive-plants-evolve-rapidly-to-thrive-in-their-new-homes.php
Summary: A new study in Australia shows that a lot of new plant species gave been evolving to become more like native species. Actually, 70 percent of these new plant species are completely changing. They are changing in height, size and shape. When these plants were first introduced to a completely different location and climate change, their characteristics began to change over time in result of the new environment. This study has showed to have good and bad implications for ecosystems around the world. The research proposes that plants will be able to quickly become used to new climate and location changes. This means that more new plants will be able to survive, grow, and won't become extinct. However, the exotic species will take over the native species, causing them to decrease.
Reflection: It was interesting to find out how plants can adapt to new places and climate changes so quickly. I didn't know they could survive a completely different area. And, it was interesting to find out how introduced species can evolve into the native species after putting them in a new environment. However, it was disappointing reading about how these new plants will eventually cause the native plants to die. Maybe humans should stop moving plants and animals from their original habitat because it will cause these living things to die and maybe even become extinct.
Questions:
1. Can humans stop these plants from taking over the native species?
2. Do these evolving changes happen to animals as well?
3. How do humans affect the way plants live?
4. Are invasive species the only threat to biodiversity?
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ReplyDeleteReflection: I find the different affects that a species of plant can have interesting. I’m surprised that although this species of plant is invasive, it can have a positive side. I am also very surprised with the how quickly this species of plant evolved to its new habitat. I have always thought that it takes thousands, maybe even millions of years for a plant to evolve. This article proves me wrong in that it only took 150 years. I find that very fascinating.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 3: How do humans affect the way plants live?
I think that humans have a huge impact on plants for many reasons.
-We eat them.
-We kill them if they don’t look nice.
-We cut them down for indoor decorations and to clear building space.
-We bring them to new habitats, sometimes causing them to become invasive species.
I agree with Kristin about how quickly the species of plant evolved to then new habitat. I was surprised that the plant could even evolve at all because of the climate change. I also agree with Amanda when she said it will be disappointing when the native species decrease because of all the new plants taking over.
ReplyDelete1)The humans cant necessarily stop the new plants from taking over, but they can stop bringing them into new habitats, which i think they should.
2)Yes
3)i agree with Kristin's answer
4)no, other animals and humans can also be threats.
I find it interesting as well to see how fast they adapted to the habitat they were put in. I find it weird that a plant can even change its weird to really think of plants as living things that can change form. Also, eventually the plants will end up taking over the habitat
ReplyDelete3. How do humans affect the way plants live?
- we grow them, eat them, kill them, buy them, we are constantly taking plants from there habitats and moving them into new ones
4. Are invasive species the only threat to biodiversity
- no, also humans kiling organisms or destroying habitats of organisms can destroy species and mess up the biodiversity