"An invasive or alien species is an introduced species to an environment that becomes overpopulated and harms its new environment."
Invasive species are species that are not native to an ecosystem and often outcompete or prey on native species. Invasive species are a major threat to biodiversity.
Introduction to invasive species: This topic covers the basic definition of invasive species, the difference between native and non-native species, and the reasons for their introduction.
Impacts of invasive species: This topic explains the negative impacts of invasive species on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human well-being.
Patterns and processes of biological invasions: This topic examines the different ways in which invasive species spread, their life cycle, and the environmental factors that contribute to their success.
Globalization, trade, and invasive species: This topic reviews the role of human activities, such as international trade, travel, and transport, in the introduction and spread of invasive species.
Risk assessment and management of invasive species: This topic explains the various methods used to assess the potential risk of a species becoming invasive, and the measures taken to manage or control their spread.
Ecological impacts of invasive species: This topic examines the ecological impacts of invasive species on native flora and fauna, ecosystem structure and function, and food webs.
Economic impacts of invasive species: This topic analyses the economic impacts of invasive species, including the costs of control and management, lost productivity, and damage to infrastructure.
Social impacts of invasive species: This topic explores the social impacts of invasive species on human health, recreation, and well-being.
Policy and legal frameworks for invasive species management: This topic covers the national, regional, and international legal and policy frameworks governing the management of invasive species.
Citizen science and invasive species monitoring: This topic discusses the role of citizen science in monitoring and managing invasive species, including citizen-based surveillance, data collection, and reporting.
Plant Invasives: These are plants that are introduced into an ecosystem and have aggressive growth patterns, which allow them to outcompete native plants for resources. Examples of plant invasives include Japanese Knotweed, Purple Loosestrife, and Kudzu.
Animal Invasives: These are non-native animals that are introduced into an ecosystem and have a negative impact on native species. Examples of animal invasives include the Asian Carp, Zebra Mussel, and Cane Toad.
Aquatic Invasives: These are species that are introduced into the aquatic ecosystems like rivers, lakes, and oceans. Examples of aquatic invasives include the Giant Salvinia, Water Hyacinth, and the Red Swamp Crayfish.
Microbial Invasives: These are microbes like bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can cause disease in native species. Examples of microbial invasives include the Chestnut Blight, the Dutch Elm Disease, and the Sudden Oak Death.
Insect Invasives: These are insects that are introduced into an ecosystem and have a negative impact on native insect species. Examples of insect invasives include the Emerald Ash Borer, the Asian Long-horned Beetle, and the Gypsy Moth.
Reptile Invasives: These include reptiles such as Burmese Python and Green Iguana that are non-native and threaten the biodiversity in their introduced ecology.
"Invasive species adversely affect habitats and bioregions, causing ecological, environmental, and/or economic damage."
"The term can also be used for native species that become harmful to their native environment after human alterations to its food web."
"[The purple sea urchin] has decimated kelp forests along the northern California coast due to overharvesting of its natural predator, the California sea otter."
"Since the 20th century, invasive species have become a serious economic, social, and environmental threat worldwide."
"For millennia, humans have served as both accidental and deliberate dispersal agents, beginning with their earliest migrations, accelerating in the Age of Discovery, and accelerating again with international trade."
"Notable examples of invasive plant species include the kudzu vine, Andean pampas grass, English ivy, Japanese knotweed, and yellow starthistle."
"Examples of invasive animals include the New Zealand mud snail, some water fleas (such as Daphnia), feral pig, European rabbit, grey squirrel, domestic cat, carp, and ferret."
"Human-facilitated introductions have greatly increased the rate, scale, and geographic range of invasion."
"Invasion of long-established ecosystems by organisms is a natural phenomenon."
"[The spread of invasive species] accelerating in the Age of Discovery."
"The purple sea urchin... has decimated kelp forests along the northern California coast."
"[Sea otter overharvesting resulted in the] decimation of kelp forests along the northern California coast."
"Invasive species adversely affect habitats and bioregions, causing ecological, environmental, and/or economic damage."
"Invasive species have become a serious economic, social, and environmental threat worldwide."
"Invasive species adversely affect habitats and bioregions."
"For millennia, humans have served as accidental dispersal agents."
"Japanese knotweed... [is] a notable example of invasive plant species."
"Feral pig, European rabbit, grey squirrel, domestic cat, carp, and ferret [are] examples of invasive animals."
"Invasive species have become a serious economic, social, and environmental threat worldwide since the 20th century."