Question

In your own words!

1.What is the definition of an invasive species?

2.Why are invasive species harmful to the environment?

3. What can be done to control invasive species? (think about both prevention and what can be done to control an invasive species once it is already present in the ecosystem)

Answer 1

1. Invasive means to attack and conquer.So an invasive species is one(plant,fungus or animal) which doesnt originally belong to that region or environment but is introduced by external means and has a capacity to grow in number and damage the balance in the ecosystem.
2. Invasive species compete for space,food and create new niches in the ecosystem which are not present earlier thus creating an imbalance in the ecosystem.These can lead to endagerment of the local species.
3. Invasive species can be introduced by travellers hence strict laws can be enforced for the carrying of exotic non-native plants.If these are introduced by natural calamities like forest fires then one needs to look for the infestations,and do not release unwanted plants into sea or lakes.and never mx aquarium fish in lakes .