Theme: Natural Texas
“Invasive Species”
What are invasive species?
An invasive species is an organism that is not native to a biome (ecosystem) and is detrimental to that biome. Invasive species can hurt the environment, economy, and health. Species that grow fast and spread quickly and might be harmful are called “invasive.”
When a species is labeled invasive, that does not mean the plant or animal is from another country.
How do invasive species arrive and thrive?
Most invasive species have been brought to other areas due to humans. The way the world is small now due to travel and commerce, invasive species follow along and reach new regions. For example, insects and seeds, etc, can easily be spread via shipping. Also, places such as Hawaii, with no snakes on the islands, probably have some now due to people bringing them in illegally.
The climate can also instigate arrival of non-native species. As the temperature rises and weather changes, new species can be brought into ecosystems.
How are invasive species threats to an ecosystem?
Non-native species are not adapted to an ecosystem and can cause harm by not having natural predators or controls to keep them at bay. They then can spread quickly, fighting for resources with organisms in place in an ecosystem. Kudzu is a good example of this situation.
–Kudzu in Missouri
These invasive species can knock out the natives by competing for food and water, carrying diseases that natives are not equipped to handle, affecting the natives’ ability to reproduce, or killing the natives’ young.
Kudzu can change a diverse area (ideal) into a mono-culture (tragic) in an ecosytem.
Some examples in Texas of non-native invasions include zebra mussels in lakes, feral pigs all throughout the state, and water hyacinths that cover the surface and block out sunlight for other plants and animals. Nutria, red fire ants, Africanized bees, Asian carp, and Asian clams.
–Africanized bee
–Asian carp
–Nutria
–Zebra mussels
–Feral pigs
I saw kudzu when I drove to North Carolina years ago. Yikes! Great post.
Thanks, Martha! I am not sure if I’ve seen it or not! Looks like I would know if I really have.
Great blog! Interesting, most people think of animals/ insects as an invasive species………plant life as you pointed out, can be just as troublesome!