Name: Yuzhu Gong Due Date: 2015/1/01
Article Title: To Eat Invasive Species
Author/Source: Scientific American
Article Title: To Eat Invasive Species
Author/Source: Scientific American
A: List major ideas, concepts or key points - point by point
- Invasive species are unwanted plants and animals that humans have introduced to ecosystems.
- Nationwide, invasive species such as the wild boar and Asian carp are destroying farms and fisheries, causing economic damage that has been estimated at $120 billion a year.
- European green crabs made their way to the U.S. in the 19th century. They voraciously consume the larvae of commercial shellfish species and are considered one of the top 100 most destructive invasive species in the world.
- European flat oyster was deliberately introduced to Maine in the 1940s and competes with native shellfish.
- Feral hogs were introduced by European explorers in the 1500s; their numbers have exploded in recent years.
- The pigs consume some native and endangered species and fight for resources with others.
- But feral hog meat is pharmaceutical free, unlike most commercial pork, which is raised with antibiotics.
- Lionfish is a voracious, highly poisonous, invasive predator that has been compared with the locust in its destructiveness.
- This fish is believed to have been introduced to the U.S. by people in the aquarium trade. Protected by highly toxic spines and resembling seaweed, lionfish have few natural enemies.
- Yet with their dangerous spines removed, their flesh is sweet and delicious.
- Japanese knotweed grows quickly in clusters and crowds out other herbaceous species. It has been named one of the world’s 100 worst invasive species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and is currently thriving in 39 states.
- The mute swan was introduced to the U.S. as an ornamental species. The swan’s majestic looks have earned it protected status in some parts of the U.S., but the swans damage marshes and shallow-water habitats by tearing up vegetation.
- Feral rabbits are some of the most ecologically destructive animals. They procreate uncontrollably, destroy croplands and contribute to soil erosion.
B: Summarize the author's main point or idea
It has a lot of invasive plants and animals along the coastal areas, it creates chaos, thus people decide to eat these species since they are delicious if you get into the right mind-set. Invasive species are these unwanted plants and animals that humans have introduced to ecosystems. Nationwide, invasive species such as the wild boar and Asian carp are destroying farms and fisheries, causing economic damage that has been estimated at $120 billion a year. The author talks about some animals that he can make at the restaurant. The European green crabs--—a symbol of the durability of invasive species. European flat oyster is introduction to Maine intentionally. Feral hogs consume some native and endangered species and fight for resources with others. Jellyfish populations are expected to explode because of the acidification of the oceans, yet very few cultures appreciate them as a food source. The warty comb jelly, one of the most invasive species on earth, is linked to the collapse of a handful of fisheries.
It has a lot of invasive plants and animals along the coastal areas, it creates chaos, thus people decide to eat these species since they are delicious if you get into the right mind-set. Invasive species are these unwanted plants and animals that humans have introduced to ecosystems. Nationwide, invasive species such as the wild boar and Asian carp are destroying farms and fisheries, causing economic damage that has been estimated at $120 billion a year. The author talks about some animals that he can make at the restaurant. The European green crabs--—a symbol of the durability of invasive species. European flat oyster is introduction to Maine intentionally. Feral hogs consume some native and endangered species and fight for resources with others. Jellyfish populations are expected to explode because of the acidification of the oceans, yet very few cultures appreciate them as a food source. The warty comb jelly, one of the most invasive species on earth, is linked to the collapse of a handful of fisheries.
C: Reaction to the article
My Own Thoughts on the Topic:
I think this article is really interesting because the author not only talks about why should we eat invasive species, he also talks about different recipes about these species and how it tastes. My opinion on eating nonnative invasive species is if they taste good and it does not impact human health negatively, then we can eat since they are taking over native species habitats and food resources. Especially it costs a lot of money for repairing the ecosystem, none of us want to see that situation to happen. I think I can eat invasive species if they are tasty.
My Own Thoughts on the Topic:
I think this article is really interesting because the author not only talks about why should we eat invasive species, he also talks about different recipes about these species and how it tastes. My opinion on eating nonnative invasive species is if they taste good and it does not impact human health negatively, then we can eat since they are taking over native species habitats and food resources. Especially it costs a lot of money for repairing the ecosystem, none of us want to see that situation to happen. I think I can eat invasive species if they are tasty.