Introduction
The Hook: Imagine waking up to find that your favorite local park is silent. The birds are gone, the wildflowers have been replaced by a single type of aggressive weed, and the local pond is choked with a green slime that kills the fish.
This isn't a sci-fi movie—it’s happening right now. Invasive species are "alien" organisms that enter a new environment and cause harm to the economy, the environment, or human health. As a member of the "Global Bio-Security Task Force," your mission is to investigate a specific invader and create a survival plan for the ecosystem it is threatening.
Task
Your team’s goal is to produce a "Wanted: Invasive Species" Digital Dossier.
You will choose one invasive species from a provided list and research its "crimes" against nature. Your final product must include:
A Wanted Poster (Digital or Hand-drawn) detailing the suspect’s appearance and origins.
An Ecosystem Impact Report explaining how it disrupts the local food web.
A Management Strategy recommending the best way to stop the spread.
Process
Step 1: Form Your Agency
Work in groups of three. Assign roles:
The Biologist: Researches the life cycle and physical traits of the species.
The Ecologist: Maps out the food web and identifies which native species are in danger.
The Conservationist: Researches current human efforts to control the species.
Step 2: Choose Your Suspect
Select one from the following:
The Emerald Ash Borer
The Zebra Mussel
The Kudzu Vine
The Lionfish
The Cane Toad
Step 3: Conduct the Investigation
Use the links in the Resources section to answer:
Where did it come from and how did it get here?
What is its "Weapon of Choice"? (Does it outcompete for food? Does it have no natural predators?)
What does the "Crime Scene" (the affected ecosystem) look like now?
Step 4: Create the Dossier
Compile your findings into a slide presentation or a single-page website.
Evaluation
Category,Emerging (1),Proficient (3),Exemplary (5)
Research Accuracy,Facts are missing or incorrect.,Most facts are accurate and cited.,All facts are highly detailed and well-sourced.
Ecosystem Analysis,Minimal mention of food webs or impact.,Clearly explains how one or two species are affected.,Deep analysis of trophic cascades and biodiversity loss.
Proposed Solution,Solution is unrealistic or vague.,Solution is based on existing methods.,"Solution is creative, scientific, and well-defended."
Presentation,Disorganized or difficult to read.,Clean layout with helpful visuals.,"Professional ""Dossier"" feel; highly engaging."
Conclusion
Mission accomplished, Detectives! By completing this WebQuest, you have moved from being a passive observer to an active guardian of our planet's biodiversity.
Reflection Questions:
What was the most surprising "weapon" an invasive species used?
How much of the invasive species problem is caused by human travel and trade?
What is one thing you can do in your own backyard or local park to prevent the spread of non-native species?