Bighead Carp Changing the Missouri River Ecosystem

Bighead Carp is a new species to the Missouri River and is causing a lot of concern.  The Bighead Carp they have a voracious appetite and can squeeze out other native fish in the water systems. 

• Why are Bighead Carp a concern to a river ecosystem?

• What are the resources found in a river ecosystem?
• How did the Bighead Carp get into the Missouri River?
• How might the presence of Bighead Carp change the river ecosystem?

Students could:

• Evaluate the different evidence (graphs, charts, tables, etc.) that shows the relationship between resource availability and organisms in an ecosystem. 
• Compare and contrast the needs of an organism and resource availability. 
• Use data to make predictions about resource availability and organism populations. 

• US Forest Service | Invasive Species Program: This program provides effective strategies to prevent invasive species.  
• National Park Service | Invasive and Non-Native Species:  This resource from the National Park Service contains a graphic about invasive species and advises what can be done to stop the spread of invasive species.  
• Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation | 5 of Iowa’s Most Invasive Species (and How to Get Rid of Them):  This resource from Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation lists Iowa’s 5 most invasive plant species and includes pictures, a description, and what each of the plants do when they invade a particular area.  
• National Geographic | Invasive Species: This resource from National Geographic is an encyclopedia page wherein invasive species is defined, what the species does to the environment is explained, and how governments are taking steps to eradicate the invasive species is described. 
• Invasive and Exotic Species of North America: This resource is from Invasive.org and contains a field guide for identification of invasive species as well as several additional website links to maps and websites about invasive species in the United States.