Why can species be too successful at times when introduced into a new environment? Why might they be unsuccessful?

Answer 1

Here are some sites that may help you. You may be able to find others by changing the search terms.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=environmental+adaptability+in+species&btnG=Search

Answer 2

First of all, there is no such thing as "too successful" from the point of view of a species, unless its success (ability to reproduce and thrive) results in the destruction of its environment. From a human perspective, an introduced plant or animal that does well (a weed, technically) may be too successful because it out competes or predates indigenous species and disrupts the ecological relationship they have. This is possible because an introduced species goes into an environment that doesn't have the predators and parasites that have co-evolved with it in its native habitat. There are no natural checks on its growth. Google "argentine ant" or "fire ant" or "kudzu" or "rabbit Australia" for examples. Lack of success usually means that an animal or plant can't find resources that it needs to thrive. What other reasons could you think of for why an organism might not do well in an alien environment?