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Understanding Biodiversity: Impact of Native vs. Non-Native Species on Ecosystem Health

Discover the significance of increased biodiversity for a healthy ecosystem. Learn about the role of native species in maintaining ecological balance and the consequences of invasive non-native species on biodiversity. Explore the relationship between harvester ants and horned lizards in influencing plant species abundance. Join Culver City Middle School in studying harvester ant populations to help conserve their habitat for future generations.

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Understanding Biodiversity: Impact of Native vs. Non-Native Species on Ecosystem Health

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  1. Ants: Argies vs Pogos Native Harvesters Ants at CCMS

  2. Biodiversity • The number of different species that live in a habitat. • High = Good Low = Bad

  3. The Value of Increased Biodiversity 1.Healthy Ecosystem - fight off disease - natural disasters 2. Protect Resources -clean water -clean air 3. Food and Medicine • new food and medicine • economy for people

  4. Native Species • locally adapted to their environment. • They are connected to the other native species here and are dependent on each other for survival, shelter and food. • Native species increase biodiversity

  5. Non-Native Species • They come from another habitat. • Invasives -grow out of control • Use up space • No natural enemies • They prevent native species from growing • Non-native species decrease biodiversity.

  6. Harvester Ants and Horned Lizards Seed-harvesting ants can influence the abundance and distribution of plant species through both the selective harvesting of seeds and the construction of nutrient-rich nest mounds

  7. Argentine ant and Harvesters

  8. Argentine ant and Harvesters X

  9. Argies and horned lizards

  10. Argies and horned lizards X

  11. Culver City Middle School • CCMS has harvesters • But only in one location • Collect data as research scientists

  12. What to study?

  13. Harvester Ant Data

  14. Today • Danger – ants bite and sting • Fill out sheet • Answer questions • Compile data as a class

  15. Harvester Ant Data • Combine the data • What did we find?

  16. Future Work • What can we recommend to try and get harvester ants to persist at CCMS? • Monitor them and argies • Not get rid of habitat • Make more habitat • Prevent argeis from coming in • Make a sign so others are aware

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