Odd Guy Out - Introducing New Species

One example of an invasive species that has found its way to North America is the “red-tide organism”. As we all know, ships use ballast that controls the amount of water in the ship for balance. It has been discovered that some ships have taken saltwater onboard as ballast from the oceans. They then reach the Great Lakes region and dump their ballast into our lakes. This deposits both, saltwater and red-tide organisms into our fresh lakes. Some effects due to these invasive organisms are respiratory illness in those who live/vacation near by, as well as the degradation of industries of different species (fisheries etc). The Great Lakes could control the introduction of such species by putting laws on the discharge of ballast when in the Great Lakes region, as well as purifying, or cleaning, the water before being discharged.

The Mediterranean Fruit Fly, or the “Medfly”, is another invasive species. It originated in Africa but made its way to Hawaii. Thankfully, California, Florida, and Texas have set up measures to ensure that the Medfly does not migrate further into North America. This organism attacks ripening fruit and lays its eggs inside. These eggs then turn into larvae (maggots) which feed on the fruit pulp. This problem can be solved through three practices: survey, regulation, and control; and the previously-stated states have successfully done so.

Another invasive species is the microbe, Phytophthora ramorum, is causing Sudden Oak Death (which is exactly as the name implies), which is being located in Georgia and California. This invasive species is being transmitted through nursery shipments of plants. Recently, Florida closed their borders to such shipments in order to control the invasive microbe. Currently, the state of Georgia is creating a plan to combat such a threat; this solution involves: education, regulation, survey, and detection.