Invasive Species: The Impact of Privet and Asian Carp in Tennessee

1. Privet plant and different species of the Asian carp fish depict two instances when non-native species which were introduced in Tennessee causing problems. Privet is a flowering plant native to Europe, Asia and North Africa (“Non-native Invasive Plants”). It has been introduced to grow as a hedge [boundary]. But, this plant once planted can take over the native plants and grow in dense groups. Currently, the Great Smoky National Park crews work up to “550 work hours each year” to remove privet plants (“Non-native Invasive Plants”). Different species of Asian carp were introduced in the United States in “1970” for aquaculture purposes, but were unintentionally introduced into the rivers when some escaped from the original ponds (“Asian carp

Commercial shippers in California could be concerned about the restrictions on Caulerpa because if the shipper’s business was importing the Caulerpa for home aquariums, then these restrictions could be loss of business.

5. Businesses in Tennessee should be concerned about the invasion of foreign species as it also impacts the revenue of the businesses. For example, a business makes profit by selling small aquarium fish species collected from a local lake/ river. If some non-native predator fish species were introduced into the lake/river, then the small aquarium fish numbers would decrease as they would become the diet of the foreign species, which results in less profits for the business.

6. I think most of the general population in Tennessee is not aware of the problem with these foreign species taking over the native species. If they were more aware, probably many would be take care or be sure of the potential side effects for foreign species. If they were aware of the problem and concerned about the survival of the native species, they would definitely be willing to change their beliefs and

Some of the biological effects of introduced species on the Pacific coast would be food chain imbalance, taking over native species, and other native species being endangered as food and space become limited.

8. Some of the biological effects of introduced species in Tennessee would be ecosystem destruction which results in over population of certain species, raise of new diseases, food chain damage, native species competing for food and space.

Discussion questions:

1. Bio-terrorism is surely possible as it easy for someone to secretly introduce a foreign species.

2. If the codes and regulations of which foreign species can be imported into country are strict, then it would be not possible. But if they were not as strict, then it would be possible.

3. Some ways of bio-terrorism could include introducing foreign species or pests which can cause damage to agriculture which can result in decreased food production, resulting famine, other foreign species which can endanger or threaten the survival of the native species.

4. We could protect our environment by placing even stricter importing regulations, pre evaluating the risks or the side effects before introducing the foreign species, requiring a safety environmental check when importing non-native