Invasive species can really mess up ecosystems in different ways. Let’s break down some of the main impacts:
Competition: Invasive species often compete with native species for things like food, sunlight, and space. For example, the zebra mussel in North America takes resources away from local mussels, which can change the whole environment of rivers and lakes.
Predation: Some invasive species become hunters of native species. The brown tree snake in Guam has caused a big drop in native bird numbers because it eats them.
Disease Spread: Invasive species can bring new diseases that native species are not prepared for. A good example is the chytrid fungus, which hurt frog populations all over the world once it was introduced.
Changes to Habitats: Some plants, like the kudzu vine in the southeastern U.S., grow so fast that they can take over and push out native plants. This change can mess up the area where animals live and find food.
All these problems can lead to fewer types of plants and animals, which is not good for the health of ecosystems.
Invasive species can really mess up ecosystems in different ways. Let’s break down some of the main impacts:
Competition: Invasive species often compete with native species for things like food, sunlight, and space. For example, the zebra mussel in North America takes resources away from local mussels, which can change the whole environment of rivers and lakes.
Predation: Some invasive species become hunters of native species. The brown tree snake in Guam has caused a big drop in native bird numbers because it eats them.
Disease Spread: Invasive species can bring new diseases that native species are not prepared for. A good example is the chytrid fungus, which hurt frog populations all over the world once it was introduced.
Changes to Habitats: Some plants, like the kudzu vine in the southeastern U.S., grow so fast that they can take over and push out native plants. This change can mess up the area where animals live and find food.
All these problems can lead to fewer types of plants and animals, which is not good for the health of ecosystems.