Banner - Aquatic Invaders - Exotic pest fish

Using the module

Teaching support material:
resource list

Coverage of outcomes

Science: Life & living/
Science & society

    Study of Society &
    environment: Place &
    space/time, continuity
    & change

Integrated activity guide

Introductory activities

Glossary

Making a timeline

Development activities

Distinguishing invaders

Exotic vs native fish

Death by degradation

Culminating activities

Mind/concept map

Tilapia - the book

Create a poster

The great pest fish debate

Introductory activities

Priority species
- Carp

- Tilapia

- Gambusia

Development activities

Summary table of
priority species

Puzzle 1

Puzzle 2

Death by degradation:
cause and effect activity

Culminating activities

Mind/concept map
(fill the gaps)

Poster

Introductory activities

Glossary

Puzzle 1 solution

Puzzle 2 solution

Developmental activities

Death by degradation:
cause and effect activity

Culminating activities

Fishing drama
(information)

The great pest fish
debate (adjudication sheet)

Mind/concept map
(answers)

Noxious and non-indigenous fish

Overview of pest fish species
in Queensland waters

Table 2 Species established in
Queensland

Table 3 Evaluation of threat
from 15 species

Legislation - Noxious and
non-indigenous fish

Current control measures
(includes Student activity)

Background information

Coverage of outcomes: Science

On this page:

Strand: Life and living
Strand: Science and society

Strand: Life and living

Key concepts and core content

The characteristics of an organism and its functioning are interrelated:

needs of living things
observable features of animals
homeostasis.

Evolutionary processes have given rise to a diversity of living things that can be grouped according to their characteristics:

methods of obtaining nutrition
reproductive strategies.

Environments are dynamic and have living and non-living components that interact:

aquatic environment
natural relationships (food chains/web)
effects on the environments
roles of organisms in ecosystems
human influences: modification of habitats.

Learning outcomes	Module outcomes
3.2 Students present information that illustrates stages in different types of life cycles:	describe physical features of exotic pest fish species, distribution and life history.
3.3 Students describe some interactions (including feeding relationships) between living things and non-living things in the environment:	group and classify fish based on ways in which they interact with living and non-living environment. compare the condition of living and non-living components of a streams that have been differently managed. present interactions in the form of a letter and book.
D3.4 Students recognise patterns of similarity and difference within and between groups of familiar living things:	use features of fish to group and classify them.
4.1 Students examine the internal and external structure of living things and account for the observed similarities and differences in terms of adaptation:	relate the features of exotic and native fish to their different abilities to adapt to a changing environment.
4.2 Students identify and analyse similarities and differences in the ways that different living things reproduce:	compare and contrast the life history of exotic pest fish species and a selected native fish species in competition with it.
4.3 Students make generalisations about the types of interactions which take place between the living and non-living parts of the environment:	explain important elements of a pristine stream food web and make comparisons with a food web incorporating an exotic pest fish.
5.2 Students evaluate different processes and strategies of reproduction (including asexual reproduction and care of young) in terms of their relative efficiency in ensuring survival of offspring:	explain why the mouth brooding reproductive strategy of tilapia (O. mossambicus) is so successful. Explain how they can tolerate a wide range of water conditions (turbidity, dissolved oxygen, high nutrient loads, pH, salinity) and substrates (watercourse bottom materials). plan a management strategy to minimise impact of tilapia infestation by using elements of their reproductive strategy.
5.3 Students evaluate the consequences of interaction between the living and non living parts of the environment:	consider how best to manage a stream to support its natural ecology.

Strand: Science and society

Key concepts and core content

Decisions about the ways that science is applied have short and long-term implications for the environment, communities and individuals:

short-term effects (costs and benefits) for individuals and communities
long-term effects (costs and benefits) for environment such as degradation, habitat loss, sustainability and biodiversity.

Learning outcomes	Module outcomes
4.3 Students present an analysis of the short- and long-term effects of some of the ways in which science is used:	discuss the short-and long-term effects of various control measures including physical/mechanical control, chemical control, biological- control, genetic control and environmental manipulation.
5.3 Students analyse the relationship between social attitudes and decisions about the applications of science:	conduct a survey and role-play focusing on range of issues on exotic pest fish

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