Answers to the test on module 4
Established and potential alien and invasive species of the Iberian Peninsula.
1. An alien, introduced, non-native or allochthonous species is one that comes from a different ecosystem, biogeographic or ecological environment and whose arrival and subsequent presence....
a) ... in its natural distribution area , is human-mediated.
b) ... outside its natural area of distribution, is not human-mediated.
c) ... outside its natural distribution area , it is human-mediated.
d) ... in its natural area of distribution, it is not human-mediated.
→ Answer: An alien, introduced, non-native or allochthonous species is one that comes from a different ecosystem, biogeographic or ecological environment and whose arrival and subsequent presence outside its natural distribution area is mediated by humans.
2. An alien species is considered invasive....
a) ... when it generates impacts on native species, or their populations, on the structure or function of ecosystems, or when it generates socioeconomic and health impacts.
b) ... in all cases. All exotic species are invasive.
c) ... whether or not they produce impacts or even generate positive impacts.
d) ... depending on the scale.
→ Answer: An alien species is considered invasive when it generates impacts on native species, or their populations, on the structure or function of ecosystems, or when it generates socioeconomic and health impacts.
3. How many exotic and invasive species are there in the Iberian Peninsula?
a) 502.
b) 29 Algae, 1 Fungus, 251 Flora Species, 39 Non-Arthropod Invertebrates, 17 Non-Crustacean Arthropods, 18 Crustaceans, 34 Fish, 5 Amphibians, 33 Reptiles, 31 Birds and 44 Mammals.
c) 379 aquatic species.
d) Not known with certainty.
→ Answer: It is not known for sure the issue of exotic and invasive species in the Iberian Peninsula, because this issue is constantly changing.
4. According to all the existing estimates in the scientific bibliography ...
a) ... plants are the most abundant group among alien and invasive species.
b) ... the issue of taxa of alien and invasive species in the Iberian Peninsula has a clear upward trend.
c) ... animals are the most abundant group and within these the chordates.
d) ... the issue of taxa of exotic species suffered a very intense increase in the last decades, but has stabilized in recent years.
→ Answer: According to all existing estimates in the scientific bibliography the issue of taxa of alien and invasive species in the Iberian Peninsula has a clear upward trend.
5. An established species is a species that has been successfully introduced into natural, semi-natural or artificial environments with populations that are ...
a) ... stable through constant or periodic introductions, releases or escapes.
b) ... self-sustaining for several life cycles in the wild and individuals that survive and reproduce.
c) ... self-sustaining for at least one life cycle in the wild and surviving individuals.
d) ... present in the environment.
→ Answer: An established species is a species that has been successfully introduced into natural, semi-natural or artificial environments with self-sustaining populations over several life cycles in the wild and individuals that survive and reproduce.
6. An uncertain species is...
a) ... an occasional or introduced species for which there are records in natural, semi-natural or artificial environments but which is not clearly established.
b) ... an established species, but for which there are few records in natural environments.
c) ... an occasional species for which there are no reliable records in natural, semi-natural or artificial environments, although it is clearly established.
d) ... an occasional species for which there are few records in natural, semi-natural or artificial environments, although it is clearly established.
→ Answer: An uncertain species is an occasional or introduced species for which there are records in natural, semi-natural or artificial environments but which is not clearly established.
7. A cryptogenic species is a species or taxon for which ...
a) ... it is unclear whether individuals present at a site are native or exotic, i.e., species of unknown (or controversial) biogeographic history that cannot be qualified as native or exotic.
b) ... it is not clear that individuals are present because of the difficulty in detecting, monitoring and identifying them.
c) ... it is clear that the individuals present at a site are exotic, but because of their reduced presence or density it is difficult to detect them.
d) ... it is clear that individuals present at a site are native to a geographic area, but because their biogeographic history is unknown (or controversial) they cannot be classified as native or translocated.
→ Ans: A cryptogenic species is a species or taxon for which it is unclear whether individuals present at a site are native or exotic, i.e., species of unknown (or controversial) biogeographic history that cannot qualify as native or exotic.
8. According to the 'List of introduced and established exotic aquatic species in Iberian continental waters', elaborated by the project LIFE INVASAQUA, there are a total of ...
a) ... 502 introduced alien species, 306 established species and 106 species in uncertain status in Iberian inland waters.
b) ... 506 introduced alien species, 306 established species and 200 species in uncertain status in Iberian continental waters.
c) ... 306 introduced alien species, 200 established species and 106 species of uncertain status in Iberian continental waters.
d) ... 306 established alien species, 200 uncertain species and 106 species detected in Iberian continental waters.
→ Answer: According to the List of introduced and established aquatic alien species in Iberian inland waters, prepared by project LIFE INVASAQUA, there are a total of 306 introduced alien species, 200 established species and 106 species in uncertain status in Iberian inland waters.
9. Potentially invasive alien species in the Iberian Peninsula ...
a) ... are those that are not yet present in a territory but are already in the transport or introduction stages of the invasion process, i.e., with a high risk of invasion in that territory.
b) ... are those that may or may not be present in a territory but are already in the transport or introduction stages of the invasion process, i.e. with a high risk of invasion into that territory.
c) ... have been estimated at some 379 species or taxa.
d) ... are those that have been found to be invasive alien species in other territories and ecosystems with similar characteristics to those of the Iberian Peninsula.
→ Answer: Potentially invasive alien species in the Iberian Peninsula are those that are not yet present in a territory but are already in the transport or introduction stages of the invasion process, i.e., with a high risk of invasion in that territory.
10. The employment of applications such as the one developed by EASIN and extended by Life INVASAQUA for the Iberian Peninsula allow:
a) ... report all the species included in the Invasive Alien Species List of concern for the Union, in the Spanish Invasive Alien Species Catalog and in the Portuguese National List of Invasive Species.
b) ... to contribute to improve the information handled by the European Commission for apply for to the Member States to take measures.
c) ... to inform SEPRONA, the Local Police and the Autonomous Communities.
d) ... eradicate or control the populations of the reported species.
→ Answer: The employment of applications such as the one developed by EASIN and extended by Life INVASAQUA for the Iberian Peninsula allow contributing to improve the information handled by the European Commission for apply for to the Member States to take measures.