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6. True or False? A minor issue is the volume of invasive species that have been introduced to wetlands.

7. Why do invasive plant species thrive in wetlands?

8. Name two ways people try to control invasive plant species.

9. Undesired plants or weeds can be pulled in what two ways?

10. Why would it be a bad idea to introduce an animal that eats a hard-to-eradicate invasive plant to the area where the plant grows?

11. True or False? Once introduced, plant populations are well established; removal is a labor-intensive, ongoing task.

12. What has drained wetlands past the point of return?

13. How were ditches created?

14. What is sheet flow?

15. Why is it so hard to level back out ditches when returning wetlands to their original state?

16. What does reconnecting floodplains, restoring backwaters, channels, and bends do?

17. What serves as a refuge and nursery for young fish and other aquatic life?

18. What do risers do?

19. Are culverts good for wetlands? Why or why not?

20. True or False? Tidal creek flow is maintained perfectly by culverts or pipes and allows full tidal flushing of these wetlands.

Answer :

Final answer:

Invasive species can overtake wetlands due to competition, adaptation, and rapid reproduction. Management strategies include mechanical and chemical controls, as well as manual removal methods. Care must be taken when introducing solutions such as predatory animals, as they may cause further ecological disruption.


Explanation:

Invasive Species and Wetlands

Invasive plant species can significantly disrupt wetland ecosystems due to several key reasons:

  1. Competition: Invasive species often outcompete native plants for resources such as sunlight, water, and nutrients, leading to a decrease in biodiversity.
  2. Adaptation: Many invasive species are highly adaptable and can thrive in various environmental conditions, allowing them to spread rapidly in wetland areas.
  3. Reproduction: Invasive plants frequently reproduce quickly and in large quantities, which can overwhelm the native flora.

To control invasive plant species, people commonly employ the following methods:

  • Mechanical removal: This involves physical methods such as pulling, cutting, or mowing the invasive plants.
  • Chemical treatments: Herbicides can be used to target and kill invasive species while attempting to minimize harm to native plants.

Undesired plants or weeds can also be managed through:

  1. Manual removal: Hand-pulling or digging up the invasive species.
  2. Mulching: Applying a layer of organic material that can suppress the growth of invasive plants.

A crucial consideration is the potential consequences of introducing an animal that feeds on invasive plants. While it might seem beneficial, such introductions can disrupt the local ecosystem further, possibly leading to new invasions or an imbalance in the food web.

Once established, invasive plant populations necessitate ongoing, labor-intensive removal due to their resilience and rapid reproduction, making them difficult to eradicate fully. Wetland restoration efforts, such as reconnection of floodplains and restoring natural flow patterns, aim to rehabilitate these ecosystems and support native species.

Methods like ditches can alter the natural hydrology of wetlands, presenting challenges when trying to return these areas to their original state due to soil compaction and changes in water flow.

Finally, it is important to recognize that while culverts can provide some benefits for transportation, they often do not allow natural tidal flow, which is crucial for maintaining the health of tidal creek ecosystems.


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