This activity provides opportunities for students to identify concepts that can be used to sort exotic fish species into different groups by synthesising information and using mind/concept maps, lists and tables.

Estimated time: 2 x 45 minutes

Materials

Access to student material to be used during the course including:
- DPI publications and posters. See Brochures, booklets and posters.
- the Internet (see Links)
- Student resource i.2 - Priority species
Student resource d.1 - Summary table of priority species

Teaching strategies

Working scientifically

(I: formulating questions, looking for patterns and meanings, U: dealing in an orderly manner parts of a complex whole, C: exploring and elaborating ideas)

This activity should help prepare students for Student activity d.3 - A fishy report.

1. As a class, students brainstorm ways of classifying or grouping exotic pest fish.

2. Using the resources provided, students work in small groups to identify additional means by which pest fish can be classified and grouped. Combine class ideas eliciting topics such as:

family/genus/species names
country of origin
reason for introduction of pest fish – ornamental, biological control
method of introduction of pest fish into waterways – accidental, and deliberate disposal into waterways
type – indigenous, non-indigenous, noxious
distribution
preferred habitat and diet
reproductive strategy – mouth-brooders, live bearers and egg layers
effects of invasion of pest fish in natural ecosystems – competition with native species, predation, introduction of exotic disease.

The teacher should ensure students understand the concepts and terminology that are introduced.

3. Students compete in groups to review the resources and complete Student resource d.1 - Summary table of priority species in a given time. Points could be allocated variously for the cells of the table (as indicated) so that groups can be scored on their performance.

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Student activity d.1 Developmental

Distinguishing invaders

Outcomes

Focus

Materials

Teaching strategies

Working scientifically

Student activity d.1
Developmental