According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, "invasive species, also called introduced species, alien species, or exotic species, are any nonnative species that significantly modifies or disrupts the ecosystems it colonizes. Such species may arrive in new areas through natural migration, but they are often introduced by the activities of other species. Human activities, such as those involved in global commerce and the pet trade, are considered to be the most common ways that invasive plants, animals, microbes, and other organisms are transported to new habitats". Basically stated, invasive species are species that colonize and disrupt an area in which they are not native. The Asian Carp, European Rabbit, Cane Toad, and Kudzu are four major invasive species on which this website elaborates. Each invasive species was introduced into their new environment by humans, and once introduced, each species continued to spread rapidly across their new territory, destroying pre existing ecosystems and ruining the carefully establish food chains and food webs found in those ecosystems.
A food chain is a sequence of links in a food web with many different levels. The producers are located at the bottom, and are usually autotrophic. Each level after the producers is a consumer (primary, secondary, etc.). Decomposers also play a vital role in maintaining an ecosystem, even though they are not shown on the food chain. Additionally, there is usually a keystone species, which has a large effect (regardless of abundance) on the ecosystem.
Once the intricacy of these food chains/webs is set up, it is imperative that their designs are maintained. There are many invasive species harming ecosystems currently, and we need to become aware of the damage they are inflicting so we can lessen that damage or at least not make it worse. By learning about invasive species, we can ensure that future catastrophes are contained.
A food chain is a sequence of links in a food web with many different levels. The producers are located at the bottom, and are usually autotrophic. Each level after the producers is a consumer (primary, secondary, etc.). Decomposers also play a vital role in maintaining an ecosystem, even though they are not shown on the food chain. Additionally, there is usually a keystone species, which has a large effect (regardless of abundance) on the ecosystem.
Once the intricacy of these food chains/webs is set up, it is imperative that their designs are maintained. There are many invasive species harming ecosystems currently, and we need to become aware of the damage they are inflicting so we can lessen that damage or at least not make it worse. By learning about invasive species, we can ensure that future catastrophes are contained.