Invasive Species

Definition

Invasive species are organisms that are introduced to a new environment, where they can spread rapidly and outcompete native species, often causing ecological, economic, and health issues. Their presence can disrupt local ecosystems, altering biogeographical processes and patterns as they establish themselves in various regions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Invasive species can reproduce quickly, allowing them to outcompete native species for resources like food and habitat.
2. These species can be introduced through various means, including global trade, travel, and accidental release, impacting both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
3. Invasive species can lead to significant economic costs due to their effects on agriculture, fisheries, and tourism.
4. Many invasive species have no natural predators in their new environments, allowing them to flourish unchecked.
5. Conservation efforts often focus on managing or eradicating invasive species to protect native biodiversity and maintain ecological balance.

Review Questions

• How do invasive species influence biogeographical processes and patterns within ecosystems?
  • Invasive species influence biogeographical processes by altering species interactions and disrupting food webs. They can lead to changes in nutrient cycling, habitat structure, and the dynamics of local populations. As these species establish themselves, they often change the composition of local flora and fauna, which can further impact ecological patterns such as distribution and abundance of native species.
• Discuss the implications of invasive species on island endemism and the theory of island biogeography.
  • Invasive species pose a significant threat to island endemism because they can outcompete or prey upon unique native species that have evolved in isolation. According to the theory of island biogeography, smaller islands or those farther from the mainland have fewer resources for colonization. When invasive species are introduced to these environments, they disrupt the delicate balance and may lead to extinctions of endemic species that are unable to adapt or escape predation.
• Evaluate the role of urbanization in facilitating the spread of invasive species and its impact on biodiversity.
  • Urbanization creates conditions that facilitate the spread of invasive species through habitat alteration and increased human mobility. As cities expand, they can disrupt local ecosystems and introduce pathways for non-native organisms. This urban environment may also offer suitable conditions for invasive species to thrive due to disturbed habitats. The result is often a decline in biodiversity as native species struggle to compete with aggressive invaders, leading to ecosystem degradation and loss of ecological services.

Related terms

Native Species: Species that originate and thrive in a specific ecosystem or region without human intervention.

Biological Invasion: The process by which non-native species spread in new ecosystems, often leading to significant ecological changes.

Ecological Balance: The state of equilibrium between organisms and their environment, which can be disrupted by invasive species.