Question
Invasive species are species intentionally or unintentionally introduced into ecosystems that they are not native to. Such introductions have the potential to dramatically alter entire ecosystems, often with catastrophic results. Based on what you have learned in this sim, why is this? (3 points)
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Invasive species can dramatically alter ecosystems for several reasons:
1. **Competition for Resources**: Invasive species often compete with native species for resources such as food, water, and habitat. They can outcompete native species due to their faster growth rates, reproductive success, or adaptability to new environments. This competition can lead to a decline or extinction of native species, disrupting the balance of the ecosystem.
2. **Predation and Herbivory**: Many invasive species can introduce new predation pressures on native species. For example, a non-native predator might have no natural enemies in the new ecosystem, leading to unchecked population growth that decimates local prey species. Similarly, invasive herbivores may overgraze native plant populations, altering plant community dynamics and affecting the entire food web.
3. **Alteration of Habitat and Ecosystem Processes**: Invasive species can change the physical environment in ways that native species cannot adapt to. For instance, some plants can modify soil chemistry, alter nutrient cycling, or change hydrology in areas they invade. Such changes can lead to a loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services, including those that are critical for human well-being, such as clean water and pollination.
Overall, the introduction of non-native species can lead to severe ecological imbalances, threatening the health of ecosystems and the services they provide to all organisms, including humans.
1. **Competition for Resources**: Invasive species often compete with native species for resources such as food, water, and habitat. They can outcompete native species due to their faster growth rates, reproductive success, or adaptability to new environments. This competition can lead to a decline or extinction of native species, disrupting the balance of the ecosystem.
2. **Predation and Herbivory**: Many invasive species can introduce new predation pressures on native species. For example, a non-native predator might have no natural enemies in the new ecosystem, leading to unchecked population growth that decimates local prey species. Similarly, invasive herbivores may overgraze native plant populations, altering plant community dynamics and affecting the entire food web.
3. **Alteration of Habitat and Ecosystem Processes**: Invasive species can change the physical environment in ways that native species cannot adapt to. For instance, some plants can modify soil chemistry, alter nutrient cycling, or change hydrology in areas they invade. Such changes can lead to a loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services, including those that are critical for human well-being, such as clean water and pollination.
Overall, the introduction of non-native species can lead to severe ecological imbalances, threatening the health of ecosystems and the services they provide to all organisms, including humans.