Into the Woods
- What adaptations allow them to survive in their environment? List several structures and explain how the structure allows the organism to survive and thrive in its environment. You will need to do some research. The following link may be helpful, but you are not limited to this site.
Black slug (Arion ater):
The black slug has two separate tentacles that have different uses. The upper, and larger tentacles are used for sight and smell as the lower and smaller tentacle are used for taste and touch. The pneumostome is how they breath and just under it is their gonopore which is where their eggs emerge from. To keep themselves moist they cover themselves in a thin layer of slimy mucus. The other benefit of this mucus is that it protects the slugs from predators as they do not like the taste.
Dandelion (Taraxacum):
- Where is the original (native) habitat of this species located?
Dandelions originated and are native to Eurasia.
- How was this species first introduced into foreign habitats?
Anywhere the European people migrated the dandelions came with them
- Provide at least one reason for why this species has flourished in its new habitat.
Every dandelion fuzz ball has around 100 seeds on it so, when the wind picks them up or if we blow them on one, that means there are 100 new spots for these plants to grow. The seeds are able to transport themselves very far and since they grow almost all year round it gives them lots of time and space to keep multiplying.
- Provide some detail as to how this species is causing ecological harm in its introduced habitat.
It takes over complete lawns in a matter of months and will push out or kill almost any other plant surrounding it. But they actually fertilize your grass and since the roots go so deep into the ground they can prevent erosion. So as there are lots of negatives they do have a few important positives.
- List two methods used to try to control this invasive species.
It is hard to control them as to actually make sure they cannot grow back you must remove the entire plant (all the way down to the ends of the roots). The easiest way is to use eco friendly weed killers. These do all the work so you don’t have to. Also keeping your lawn thick and healthy can help prevent dandelions and other weeds from infesting.
