Some ecosystems are more at risk from invasive species than others. Here are a few reasons why:
Island Ecosystems: Islands have special plants and animals that are often found nowhere else. For example, Hawaii has many unique species that can be easily harmed by new predators and plants that don’t belong there.
Disturbed Habitats: Areas that have lost a lot of their natural environment or are dealing with climate change, like wetlands, become weaker. This makes them more likely to be invaded. A good example is the nutria, a rodent that has caused problems in Louisiana wetlands.
Biodiversity Loss: When an ecosystem has fewer different types of plants and animals, it struggles to fight off invasive species. Coral reefs, for instance, are already under pressure from climate change, which lets invasive species grow and spread more easily.
Understanding why some ecosystems are vulnerable helps us protect them better!
Some ecosystems are more at risk from invasive species than others. Here are a few reasons why:
Island Ecosystems: Islands have special plants and animals that are often found nowhere else. For example, Hawaii has many unique species that can be easily harmed by new predators and plants that don’t belong there.
Disturbed Habitats: Areas that have lost a lot of their natural environment or are dealing with climate change, like wetlands, become weaker. This makes them more likely to be invaded. A good example is the nutria, a rodent that has caused problems in Louisiana wetlands.
Biodiversity Loss: When an ecosystem has fewer different types of plants and animals, it struggles to fight off invasive species. Coral reefs, for instance, are already under pressure from climate change, which lets invasive species grow and spread more easily.
Understanding why some ecosystems are vulnerable helps us protect them better!