FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Quiz about They Have Invaded Our Space
Quiz about They Have Invaded Our Space

They Have Invaded Our Space Trivia Quiz


One of the biggest problems facing the environment today is the encroachment of non-native species into an ecosystem. This quiz takes a look at North America.

A multiple-choice quiz by fenian1213. Estimated time: 5 mins.
  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Quizzes
  4. »
  5. Science Trivia
  6. »
  7. Environment
  8. »
  9. Environmental Problems

Author
fenian1213
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
337,263
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
499
Question 1 of 10
1. The common starling is a native species to the Americas.


Question 2 of 10
2. Which of these fruit trees was introduced into North America? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Which of these introduced species has gotten so out of control that it's sometimes called "the plant that ate the American South"? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. This dangerous pest hitched a ride to the Americas on ships' anchors and in their bilge water.
What is it?
Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Invasive species are something we can easily see and take steps against.


Question 6 of 10
6. All of these trees put on a lovely spring display. Each stands out in any forest. One is a fast growing native of China. Which one is it? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. One of these insect pests is home-grown. Can you identify the American native? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. This fish was intentionally released into North American waterways (most notably in Florida) by people thinking they could profit from catching and selling them. What is this Asian predator that is rapidly eating its way through the native species? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Sometimes a native species gets away from its own home biological niche. Which of these American natives has invaded new areas in the last 100 years or so? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. This aquatic plant is another rapidly spreading menace. It is found along streams, lakes, rivers, ponds and even roadside ditches all across the Americas. It crowds out the plants that are native. What's its name? Hint



(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

arrow Select a User ID:
arrow Choose a Password:
arrow Your Email:




Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The common starling is a native species to the Americas.

Answer: False

This bird may be the world champion invasive species. A native of Europe, it has established itself on every continent except Antarctica.
2. Which of these fruit trees was introduced into North America?

Answer: Apple

American as apple pie the apple is not. The red mulberry is native. The white mulberry is the one famous as silkworm food . It has been planted here and since spread. The tasty fruit of the pawpaw tree is disappearing in the wild, but can be found in private gardens.
3. Which of these introduced species has gotten so out of control that it's sometimes called "the plant that ate the American South"?

Answer: Kudzu

Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. Kudzu was intentionally planted in the American Southeast. It has since spread out of control to the point that it has reached as far north as Ontario, Canada and as far west as Oregon. Poison oak and greenbriar are very common and native. Sunny tufts I made up.
4. This dangerous pest hitched a ride to the Americas on ships' anchors and in their bilge water. What is it?

Answer: Zebra mussel

The zebra mussel is native to Russia. They were first discovered here in 1988 in the Great Lakes and have since spread rapidly through interconnected waterways. They pose a serious threat to native species as well as boats, power plants and water treatment plants.
5. Invasive species are something we can easily see and take steps against.

Answer: False

The are several dozen microbes and viruses listed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as being invasive and dangerous. For example, Dutch elm disease nearly killed off an entire species. Man is not safe either. West Nile virus and the avian flu cause fatalities every year.
6. All of these trees put on a lovely spring display. Each stands out in any forest. One is a fast growing native of China. Which one is it?

Answer: Paulownia

The paulownia or princess tree is a very rapidly growing plant. Viewed as a weed tree, it has stunning purple flowers that are amongst the first to appear each spring. Unfortunately its rapid growth makes it a threat to native species trying to establish themselves.
7. One of these insect pests is home-grown. Can you identify the American native?

Answer: Tent caterpillar

Although the tent caterpillar can eat the leaves right off the trees, they rarely cause any permanent harm. They also have native predators. The others are responsible for the wholesale destruction of vast spreads of forest.
8. This fish was intentionally released into North American waterways (most notably in Florida) by people thinking they could profit from catching and selling them. What is this Asian predator that is rapidly eating its way through the native species?

Answer: Northern snakehead

The snakehead is popular in Asian cooking. It was purposely released to avoid having to import them. However it rapidly multiplies and takes over the habitat it is released into. It can even survive briefly on land. It is a major hazard.
9. Sometimes a native species gets away from its own home biological niche. Which of these American natives has invaded new areas in the last 100 years or so?

Answer: The bullfrog

A native of eastern and central North America, the bullfrog was accidentally released into western waters with the trout used to restock fishing holes. Unfortunately it competes with the local population.
10. This aquatic plant is another rapidly spreading menace. It is found along streams, lakes, rivers, ponds and even roadside ditches all across the Americas. It crowds out the plants that are native. What's its name?

Answer: Purple loosestrife

Purple loosestrife is another invader we brought on ourselves. It was used as an ornamental in the 1800's and got loose. It has been found in at least 43 U.S. States and 9 Canadian Provinces.
Source: Author fenian1213

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
10/14/2024, Copyright 2024 FunTrivia, Inc. - Report an Error / Contact Us