Threats to Biodivserity- Invasive Speices by Hannah Savino

hsavino26_1_1 — 2024-10-30 18:24:37 UTC

Invasive species are unnatural species that come into a community that spreads harm. They compete with the other species in the community and kill them. Typically, these invasive species are released by humans for their food or hunting advantages. Some species may be unwanted for humans which is why they are being released.

rburchell26_1_1 — 2024-10-30 18:25:14 UTC

Invasive species impact the Hawaiian Monk Seal by competing with them for resources, food, and space. This is hurting the population of the Hawaiian Monk Seal by lowering it because invasive species target the same food as them which makes it hard to hunt and get food. Additionally they cause a parasitic disease in the seals that is extremely hard to treat.

rburchell26_1_1 — 2024-10-30 18:28:10 UTC

We create a clean, sterile area that cuts down on the percentage of diseases that the seas are exposed to. Cleaning things: Since cat feces is transmitted through water, organizations that maintain sewage can check the waters and make sure that these organisms are not within the sewage.

Steps needed for a solution for Invasive Species

rburchell26_1_1 — 2024-10-30 18:29:07 UTC

Ban the spread of species that do not live in that environment
Start removing that species from the environment
If any species have been harmed put protection on fishing or hunting for them
Clean any diseased areas
Remove and treat any sick animals

USDA Forest Service

rburchell26_1_1 — 2024-10-30 18:30:11 UTC

Their work is geared towards research and management of invasive species and how they affect ecosystems in the United States.

They have connections with other organizations that research aquatic animals specifically. This can help due to our research being based on a monk seal. They can also provide knowledge on this problem.

hsavino26_1_1 — 2024-10-30 18:30:19 UTC

Parasitic diseases that attach to monk seals causes toxoplasmosis. This is an infection due to a parasite. It can lead to the seals dying.

The Marine Mammal Center

rburchell26_1_1 — 2024-10-30 18:30:37 UTC

The lead responder for Hawaiian monk seals on Hawai'i Island.

They operate a hotline for reporting monk seal sightings. They can help create protected areas based on where they are usually sighted.

Hawaii Department of Health

rburchell26_1_1 — 2024-10-30 18:30:56 UTC

Work with removing waste and conducting cleanups of properties that have registered to be sanitized

Conduct investigations and cleanups on private and public property to ensure the cleanliness of the island - they can make sure that everyone is discarding waste the correct way and ensuring it doesn’t contaminate the habitats of the seals

hsavino26_1_1 — 2024-10-30 18:31:23 UTC

Symptoms include organ and repdocutive failure as well as brain damage. Discoloring in the seals skin can aslo be a physcial sign of toxoplasmosis.

Two Potential Constraints on our Solution

rburchell26_1_1 — 2024-10-30 18:31:53 UTC

The treatment for the potential disease spread by the parasites isn’t easy to treat and there is no known cure currently. This could cause issues if the sickness isn’t fully removed and it could end up spreading more. Another potential constraint is that if the parasites aren’t fully removed from the environment they could continue to grow and destroy that environment as well as the things living in it.