What is the impact of invasive species on native ecosystems?

Invasive species significantly disrupt the food chain within native ecosystems. When non-native species are introduced, they can outcompete, prey upon, or otherwise negatively impact native species that have evolved over time in a particular environment. This disruption can alter the balance of the ecosystem by affecting the population dynamics of native organisms, leading to declines or even extinctions of indigenous species.

For example, an invasive plant species may grow rapidly and overshadow native plants, thus reducing their access to sunlight and nutrients, which can lead to a decline in those native plant populations. Consequently, this can affect the herbivores that rely on those native plants for food and, in turn, affect the predators that rely on those herbivores, creating a cascading effect throughout the food web.

The impact of invasive species extends beyond simple competition for resources; they can also introduce diseases, modify habitats, and change nutrient cycles. Overall, invasive species can have profound and often detrimental effects on the structure and function of native ecosystems, highlighting the importance of managing and controlling their spread.