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Closing

Invasive species are growing problem in Bermuda. There are many methods that can be implemented to reduce invasive species however there are not enough people available to implement these methods. Raising more awareness and getting more people involved is the first step to fixing the problem. 

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Bermuda's efforts

The following link shows Ian Walker head of the aquarium and efforts being made to preserve the endemic species in Bermuda.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGqbVeKDAag

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60+ interview, she has lived in Bermuda for over 40 years 

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Saltus student studying environmental science. 

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Richard Winchell, Head of the zoological society, ran the aquarium for a number of years. 

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Threats to Bermuda's environment...

World-wide, invasive species are one of the leading causes of loss of biodiversity. Invasives are really good at adapting to other environments, causing native species to have to compete for food, water and space.  This also causes many endemic species to become extinct. 

Bermuda relies heavily on other countries for goods, making it easy for invasive species to be introduced. Invasive species were also introduced here as a means to keep other over abundant species under control. 

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Top left: Bermuda Cedar Bottom left: Wild Bermuda Pepper Top right: Bermuda Olivewood Middle right: Bermuda Palmetto Bottom right: Darrell's Fleabane

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Endemic Plants...

Bermuda Cedar*

Bermuda Palmetto 

Darrell’s Fleabane

Bermuda Olivewood

Wild Bermuda Pepper

Bermuda Sedge

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Top left: Killfish Middle left: Bermuda Buckeye Butterfly Bottom left: Bermuda Land Snail Top right: Cahow Bottom right: Bermuda Skink

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Endemic Animals

As already seen in the results of the questionnaire; here is a list of endemic species in Bermuda, most of which are endangered. 

Cahow*

Bermuda Skink*

Killfish 

Bermuda Land Snail*

Bermuda Buckeye Butterfly

Bermuda Cave Shrimp

*-protected species

#protectthem

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Key Terms...

As most of you may already know; endangered species are any type of species whose numbers are so small that they're close to extinction. 

Endemic species are ones that are only found in a certain region and cannot be found anywhere else. While native species are ones that can be found in more than one region but are naturally found there. 

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More results

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This post and the two following ones are results of the questionnaire.

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Here's an example of one of the questionnaires.

#smartkid

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Out of curiosity...

In studying invasive plants we were curious to see what Bermudians knew/thought of invasive species as well as endangered species. We conducted a short questionnaire and handed them out to Bermudian kids, 18 years and under. Here's what they think...

#questionnaire

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Did you know...

There are roughly 35 different invasive plant and animal species in Bermuda. 23 of which belong on the World Conservation Union's list of worst invasive species.

#soundslikeaproblem