Invasive Species

ecology · nature · animal behavior · human impact

Species on the move. An invasive species is a plant or animal that gets introduced to a new environment where it doesn't naturally belong. Once it arrives, whether by accident or on purpose, it can spread quickly and cause serious trouble.

Damage to habitats. Invasive species harm the places they invade by outcompeting native animals and plants for food and space. They can destroy ecosystems that took thousands of years to develop, making it hard or impossible for native species to survive.

Costly problem. Invasive species cost the world billions of dollars every year through crop damage, disease spread, and the effort to try to remove them. Farmers, communities, and governments spend enormous amounts of money fighting against these unwanted invaders.

How they travel. Invasive species hitch rides on ships, planes, in luggage, and through trade goods, accidentally moving across oceans and continents. Sometimes people intentionally bring animals or plants to new places, not realizing the harm they'll cause.

Growing threat. Since the 1900s, invasive species have become one of the biggest environmental problems on Earth, threatening wildlife and food supplies everywhere.