Common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, is an invasive plant which is spreading across Europe. Because of illness caused by its allergenic pollen and competition with crops, it’s costing Europe an estimated €4.5 billion a year. The solution may lie with releasing non-native beetles. In this activity students evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using biological control to halt the invasion of this alien plant.
Science objective
Ecosystems (Interdependence): Suggest what might happen when an unfamiliar species is introduced into a food web (KS3 Science Syllabus)
Enquiry objective
Examine consequences: Identify possible consequences to particular habitats and animals (KS3 Science Syllabus)