400s atnsig erdt lo tripied er 350- 300- 250- 200 150 100- 50 Year Number of pythons removed 2004 2005 900

Extracted text: 400s atnsig erdt lo tripied er 350- 300- 250- 200 150 100- 50 Year Number of pythons removed 2004 2005 900


Extracted text: Name Use the graph to answer questions 22 through 24. Date Plants and animals that are not native to an area and cause harm to the ecosystem are called "invasive species." Burmese pythons are an invasive species in Florida. These animals eat a wide range of mammals, birds, and even American alligators. The increase in the number of Burmese pythons in the ecosystem would most likely cause which of the following? F. A gradual increase in the population of raccoons and opossums. G. A sharp decline in the population of raccoons and opossums. H. A decrease in competition for food resources for lower level consumers. I. An increase in the sightings of bird species that are prey of pythons. 23 What are the effects of catching and sterilizing Burmese pythons? A. Competing predators will have more prey resources. B. There will be fewer sightings of raccoons and opossums. C. There will be an increase in predation by the pythons. D. The local ecosystems will be more imbalanced due to the absence of the pythons. 24 What statement best explains why invasive species outcompete native species in a particular ecosystem? F. The natural species are naturally weak and in need of constant human assistance. G. Native species in North America are less evolved and therefore less able to thrive in their native habitats than European and Asian plants and animals. H. Human dependence on invasive species results in them being released in greater numbers. Invasive species have few natural predators in their new environment to control their population numbers. I. 15 Florida Science Assessment Workbook Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All rights reserved.