The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

How much do you know about invasive species? Take our quiz and find out. Click on the answer which you think is correct.

1. Which of the following invasive species disrupts power plants by the Great Lakes?

   Zebra mussel

   Zebra mussel | Correct

   CORRECT!

   Burmese python

   Burmese python | Incorrect

   Brushtail possum

   Brushtail possum | Incorrect

   Sudden oak death

   Sudden oak death | Incorrect

2. Invasive species have many harmful effects. Which of the following impacts does buffelgrass have in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona?

   It increases how frequently wildfires sweep through lands

   It increases how frequently wildfires sweep through lands | Correct

   CORRECT!

   It transforms biologically rich savannahs into dense, shaded forests with little biodiversity

   It transforms biologically rich savannahs into dense, shaded forests with little biodiversity | Incorrect

   It strangles other plants

   It strangles other plants | Incorrect

   It produces compounds that poisons other plants

   It produces compounds that poisons other plants | Incorrect

3. Invasive species arrive through different routes. How does water hyacinth most frequently invade?

   It arrives in ballast water from ships

   It arrives in ballast water from ships | Incorrect

   It becomes attached to cars, trucks, and heavy machinery

   It becomes attached to cars, trucks, and heavy machinery | Incorrect

   It is shipped by the horticulture trade

   It is shipped by the horticulture trade | Correct

   CORRECT!

   Its seeds are eaten and carried by feral pigs

   Its seeds are eaten and carried by feral pigs | Incorrect

4. What percentage of endangered or threatened species in the United States are at risk from invasive species?

   8 percent

   8 percent | Incorrect

   42 percent

   42 percent | Correct

   CORRECT!

   50 percent

   50 percent | Incorrect

   1 percent

   1 percent | Incorrect

5. Which native American species is invasive in New Zealand and Australia?

   Hellbender

   Hellbender | Incorrect

   American bison

   American bison | Incorrect

   Ivory billed woodpecker

   Ivory billed woodpecker | Incorrect

   Monterey pine

   Monterey pine | Correct

   CORRECT!

6. Which of the following is not a management method that is used to fight invasive plants?

   Manually pulling them

   Manually pulling them | Incorrect

   Prescribed fire

   Prescribed fire | Incorrect

   Building fences

   Building fences | Correct

   CORRECT!

   Herbicides

   Herbicides | Incorrect

7. The American chestnut was once a dominant tree in eastern North America. When did it become essentially extinct in the wild because of the non-native chestnut blight?

   200 BC

   200 BC | Incorrect

   1492 AD

   1492 AD | Incorrect

   Around the 1930-1950s

   Around the 1930-1950s | Correct

   CORRECT!

   2005

   2005 | Incorrect

8. Determining the costs from invasive species is notoriously difficult. What is the annual cost to the USA, estimated by scientists in 2004?

   $100 million

   $100 million | Incorrect

   $100 billion

   $100 billion | Incorrect

   $120 billion

   $120 billion | Correct

   CORRECT!

   $500 billion

   $500 billion | Incorrect

9. What is most cost effective way to deal with the effects from invasive species?

   Prevent invasions before they even occur

   Prevent invasions before they even occur | Correct

   CORRECT!

   Detect invasive species shortly after they have created infestations

   Detect invasive species shortly after they have created infestations | Incorrect

   Study the problem for a few more years

   Study the problem for a few more years | Incorrect

   Try to eradicate the most widespread invaders

   Try to eradicate the most widespread invaders | Incorrect

10. How can you prevent the spread of invasive species when hiking?

    Always carry pesticide

    Always carry pesticide | Incorrect

    Clean your boots thoroughly before you hike in a new area

    Clean your boots thoroughly before you hike in a new area | Correct

    CORRECT!

    Wear soft soled shoes

    Wear soft soled shoes | Incorrect

    Avoid hiking alone

    Avoid hiking alone | Incorrect