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Invasive Species

Definition

Invasive species are non-native organisms that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health. They outcompete native species for resources and disrupt ecosystems.

Analogy

Imagine a party where uninvited guests show up and take over the entire space, leaving no room for the invited guests. These uninvited guests are invasive species, disrupting the balance of the party just like they disrupt ecosystems.

Related terms

Non-native species: Non-native species are organisms that have been introduced to an area outside their natural range. They may or may not become invasive.

Biodiversity: Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms in a particular habitat or on Earth as a whole. Invasive species can negatively impact biodiversity by reducing the number of native species.

Ecological disruption: Ecological disruption occurs when there is a disturbance or alteration in an ecosystem's structure or function. Invasive species often cause ecological disruptions by changing resource availability and interactions among organisms.