B7 Ideas in Context 2012

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Alien Invaders

This ideas in context paper is all about the idea of 'alien invaders' hence the title and this links to the previous topic of B3: Life on Earth which is about:

  • Evolution   -  Doesn't Link much
  • Natural Selection  - Yes
  • Producing New species'  - Yes
  • Scientific Controversy  -  Doesn't Link much
  • Human Evolution  -  Doesn't Link much
  • The Nervous System  -  Doesn't Link much
  • Hormones  -  Doesn't Link much
  • Interdependence  - Yes
  • & Humans and the Earth  - Yes

It would be a good idea to have a quick refresh on all these topics however only a few of these will be relevant.

The main parts to look at in this paper are the figures and data as they show how big of a problem there is. The data about how much costs there are and how many alien specie there are, are likely to form questions for you to question how bad it is and what would be the right way to tackle the problem,

Each of these 'invaders' are also likely to be questioned. The Ruddy Duck, the Harlequin ladybird, the Asian Tiger Mosquito and also the Japanese knot-weed. There is not much mentioned about the Ruddy duck other than being introduced as as 'ornamental species'. This could be a questions whereby you are asked to define this, therefore it is a species that is intended to be decorative and not for food. Also take note of how the ruddy duck 'inter-breeds' with native ducks. Think about what this then means: Two alien species to the one native species meaning that the native duck have even less chance of survival as even a half ruddy duck would be more aggressive than a passive native duck.

The Harlequin ladybird is no doubt going to have a question aimed at due to all the statistics and the maps. Take note of the fact that it is 'bigger' and more aggressive, and how it 'soon began to replace them'. The main point to see is how in two years there was such a large increase. There is an exponential factor as 2 become 4 which then become 8 which in turn become 16 and so and so forth. The largest spread is the South-East / East of England. So question why.. where would they come…

Comments

Tasha

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This is super helpful, thank you :) 

Izzy

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Thank you, helped me so much! :D

Wael Arafat

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thank you helpful 

rhona

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really helpful thanks :)

zarah

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thanks so much :)

Fred

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Thanks a lot.

pinkchoclatemad

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thank you for the insight :)