Essay about Invasive Species

Introduced species are not native to a new area and, if allowed to continue unchecked, can disrupt natural ecosystems. They can destroy biodiversity, alter ecosystem functions, degrade water resources, reduce recreational opportunities, damage agricultural and forest production, threaten public safety and infrastructure, and reduce economic and property values.

Invasive species can spread through the air, water, and soil as well as by ship ballast water, septic tank overflows, wildlife, and people. Some species can outcompete or displace native plants and animals, reducing the number of habitats, food, and nesting sites for native species and introducing new diseases.

They can also cause severe damage to ecosystems by affecting the flow of water, nutrients, and soil. Some invasive species can also cause serious injury or death to native species, humans, and domestic animals.

Some invasive species are highly successful and others do not survive in their new environments. Some of the most common invasive species include miconia, a South American plant that quickly covers forests and prevents other trees from growing, axis deer, which browse on a variety of plants and agricultural goods, and little fire ants, which infest beaches and homes and cause stings and bites to people and pets.

The success of a invasive species is determined by many factors, including the ecology and evolutionary processes involved. Some invasive species are resistant to environmental conditions in their original ranges, and others are successful due to differences in ecological and evolutionary processes between their native and introduced ranges (Daehler 2001; Lockwood et al. 2005).

Other factors that may contribute to the success of a species invasion include the ability of the population to survive and reproduce, and the strength of propagule pressure. These factors can be attributed to the nature of the introduced environment, the characteristics of the native populations, or both.

Another important factor that influences the emergence and spread of invasive species is connectivity of plants, animals, goods, and people to a region and between regions. This connectivity determines how new species become available to invade, and is affected by transportation vectors, land use, and climate change.

These factors are critical to understanding invasive species and how they can be prevented or managed. They also help to identify the key biotic and abiotic drivers of invasive species emergence, which helps to inform our efforts to control them.

Invasive Species Traits and Performance
There are a growing number of studies that suggest key traits or trait combinations associated with invasiveness, but there is no general consensus about how to best assess the performance of a new species. However, identifying the most effective invasive species is a major goal in conservation biology and could benefit our efforts to protect ecosystems.

Invasive Species Impacts on Species Richness, Diversity, and Evenness
A study conducted on a plot-scale, using data from a forest in Hawaii, evaluated the impact of individual invading species on plant species richness, diversity, and evenness (Table 1). The strongest invasive species were usually those with the least influence on each measure, and the effects were weakest at both plot scales and at the landscape scale.