An ecosystem is always changing and adapting within acceptable limits. At what point is the natural balance pushed too far? When do changes go beyond adaptable, natural changes and become sources of permanent damage? Species of animals and plants, accidentally or purposefully, live in ecosystems that are outside their normal habitat. These species, considered non-native, can have significant effects on ecosystems.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is trying to raise awareness among the residents near the Great Lakes about the impact of non-native species on the lakes’ ecosystems. The ILEPA has asked students to help collect information and create brochures aimed at students. Their goal is to inform teens and adults about the effects of these species on our local aquatic ecosystem.

Documents

• Project Checklist
• Research Grid
• Brochure Rough Draft

Web Sites

• Invasive Species of the Great Lakes
• Exotic Aquatics on the Move
• Non-Native Invasive Species
• Invasive Species Image Collection
• Non-indigenous Aquatic Species – includes fact sheets

You will have to conduct searches using keywords, Boolean operators and exact phrases to help you find specific information on the non-native species listed below.

Required Research Information

• General description/definition of non-native species
• Vocabulary list- includes unfamiliar terms related to ecosystems and non-native species (for example: ballast)
• Description of a specific non-native species
• Origin of the species
• Arrival of the species
• Current status of species
• Government or State efforts to remove non-native species
• Step people can take to reduce non-native species
• Ecological impact of non-native species
• Economic impact of non-native species
• Maps showing origin and/or current location

Research Documents

• Research grid or note cards
• Citations (from at least four sources)
• Rough draft of text (Example)
• Rough draft of brochure (Page 1 and Page 2) Here's the FINAL version!

With the information you collected you will need to create a brochure to educate teens and adults about non-native species in general as well as your specific non-native species.

Your brochure should include the required research information and pictures. It should also demonstrate an understanding of desktop publishing concepts.