Invasive Species Research Paper

“Over 200 fish species have been introduced to the United States following importation, many of which threaten ecosystems and infrastructure” (103). When exotic animals are introduced to habitats they did not evolve with, they are without many of the environmental stressors that are placed on native animals, such as predation. When that characteristic is coupled with the fact that some exotic animals may be larger and more aggressive than its ecological counterpart, it becomes easy to see how non-native species out-compete native

As students we have learned in school that every animal and plants can be species. The definition of invasive species is an alien species whose introduction does cause an economic harm or harm to human health. (Sarah Zielinski,2011) My own interpretation of invasive species would be animals or plants from another region of the world that don’t belong in their new environment. Invasive species are introduced into an area through ship waters, accidental release, and also by humans. Invasive species can have harmful effects to the environment such as, affecting the ecosystem; limiting biodiversity; and using resources available to the existing habitats.

In the isthmus, as in different areas, amphibian populations have endured tremendous decay, even to the point that some species have probably disappeared from the wild, because of the development of a fungal disease known as chytridiomycosis. This is an infectious disease that affects amphibians worldwide. It is caused by the chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis), a fungus capable of causing sporadic deaths in some amphibian populations and 100 percent mortality in others. The Chytrid fungus is killing the Panamanian golden frog, a national symbol of good luck, almost to the point that this species is among the ones in grave danger of extinction (Aldred). In order to address the fast decline of the amphibian populations due to this fungus, two successful initiatives have been implemented towards the recovery of these populations, resulting in the creation of the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center and the Amphibian Rescue Center (Aldred).

Methods have been used in freshwater by taking all the oxygen from the water where snakeheads have been found. This method, however, kills all fish and life in the water. Once desolate like the reef oxygen, is reintroduced to the water and game and prey fish are released. With time, the area of water will return to being thriving and alive filled with game fish. On land, invasive species such as the wild boar are taking over Texas lands and hurting commercial industries.

In conclusion Blackfish is gives audiences a shocking, aggressive and deeply compelling look into cruel practices of marine parks for decades that will change the way you look at captive/trained killer whales and other animals. In watching this documentary has significantly opened my eyes regarding the brutal treatment and methods of capturing wild animals giving me a greater sympathy for orcas in parks such as SeaWorld. This startling documentary will surprise audiences as Cowperthwaite is unrelenting in showing the fatal consequences of keeping killer whales in captivity while also critiquing of the cruel and immoral practises of

Other invasive species may not destroy the habitat, but it can have an impact by killing large numbers of other species. Burmese pythons, for example, are top predators in the Everglades. As such, they have local mammal and bird populations. They are capable of consuming deer and even alligators, these creatures eat virtually any animal they encounter in the Everglades. A number of threatened and endangered bird species have also been found in the digestive tracts of pythons, prompting concern that they could drive some species toward extinction Lampreys in the Great Lake parasitize native fish.

Freeing Willy: A Rhetorical Analysis on Blackfish the Documentary The documentary film Blackfish, by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, is a daring venture, which claims that orcas in captivity become dangerous to human beings, as well as to other orcas. Cowperthwaite points to SeaWorld, in particular, since this world-renowned tourist attraction has had many examples that support her claim. In producing this film, Cowperthwaite hopes to bring about an end to SeaWorld’s practice of using killer whales as performance animals since the limited environment is ultimately doing more harm than good for both the whales and their trainers. The purpose of this rhetorical analysis will be to determine whether Blackfish offers a compelling argument. To begin with,

The people of the Ethical Treatment of Animals have filed lawsuits on SeaWorld (PETA), PETA claimed that SeaWorld captured 5 orcas from the wild and they are seeking a declaration that those five orcas are slaves and subjected to involuntary servitude. Different rhetorical devices such as extreme exaggeration, ethos, are used to persuade and inform the audience about animals that are being held at SeaWorld in articles Orcas Aren't the Only Ones Being Mistreated at SeaWorld, The Guardian, and As SeaWorld stops breeding orcas, what are the impacts of research?. As seen in the movie Blackfish several orcas at SeaWorld have a collapsed dorsal fin that has the public concerned. According to The Guardian

In 2013, Gabriela Cowperthwaite directed the documentary Blackfish. This documentary is about Tilikum, an orca from SeaWorld that has taken the lives of many trainers. The documentary makes the claim that orcas should be freed from captivity. While in captivity they are causing harm to both themselves, humans, and the other orcas. Blackfish is a great example of an argument that can be rhetorically analyzed because it has pathos, ethos, and logos.

The Burmese python has become a predatory species in the Florida Everglades. The reason for this problem is the rapid growth rate of the species occurring all over the Everglades. The species have become pets and then thrown in canals. They also escape from zoos and move from other states because of the warm moist weather. The environment is an excellent breeding ground for the ever growing population of Burmese pythons in the Everglades.

It usually thrives in reefs but it is also easily found in hard bottom areas, mangroves, seagrass flats, and shipwrecks. This beautiful looking fish packs a punch: The fish has venomous spines that deliver an extreme pain that can last for days. In extreme cases, the venom can even cause paralysis. The LIonfish is an apex predator on the reefs using its fins to coral small fish and anything it can fit into it’s mouth into a corner before it strikes quickly swallowing it whole. The lionfish feeds on an array of over 50 species including ecologically and economically important species.