Invasive Species/Grassland Biome?

Question

1- What invasive species are common in New Jersey?

2- What is (summarize) the relationship between cheat grass,bunchgrasses, grazing, fire, and the black soil crust of the grassland biome?

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1- ????- I'm not sure if these are correct but I found: Honey Bees, Gypsy Moths,European Starling- I don't think they are most common in NJ though.

2- ???

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Please help me. I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

Answer 1

Invasive species doesn't have to be an animal. It could be a plant. Dandelion is one. Honeybees, gypsy moths, European starling could be considered invasive species. The common housemouse could be another, the brown rat and the black rat. But I guess bees are originally from Europe and displaced New Jersey bees, so I see where you're coming from there. Pokeweed might be another. Even the cheatgrass you mentioned.

Animals grazing is good for the grass. It's ecological design is geared toward being periodically grazed. Helps keep it healthy. Fires release nutrients back into the soil. Black soil crust is from the weeds doing what they do naturally to the soil and dying there and the plants themselves add nutrients for other plants.