The introduction of species into ecosystems where they are not naturally found can have very serious consequences for biodiversity. These species can establish, reproduce and colonize new places, replacing native flora or fauna and altering the functioning of the ecosystem.
Invasive species are currently the second leading cause of biodiversity loss in the world, right after habitat loss. While these species introductions have occurred since the first human migrations, they have increased considerably in recent decades as a result of world trade. If you want to know more, don’t miss this Animal Expert article on invasive species: definition, examples and consequences.
- According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
- A? Invasive alien species? it is an exotic species that is established in a natural or semi-natural ecosystem or habitat.
- Becoming an agent of change and a threat to native biodiversity.
As a result, invasive species are those capable of successfully reproducing and forming self-sufficient populations in an ecosystem other than their own. When this happens, we say that they have been “naturalized”, which can have disastrous consequences for native (indigenous) species.
Some invasive alien species cannot survive and reproduce on their own, so they eventually disappear from the ecosystem and do not endanger native biodiversity. In this case, they are not considered invasive species, only introduced.
Throughout their lives, humans have made great migrations and taken with them species that have helped them survive. Transoceanic navigations and explorations have significantly increased the number of invasive species. However, the globalization of trade that has occurred in the last century has exponentially increased the introduction of species. Currently, the introduction of invasive species has several origins:
The consequences of the introduction of invasive species are not immediate, but are evident when time has passed since their introduction. Some of these consequences are:
There are already thousands of invasive species in the world. In this peritoAnimal article, we also bring some examples of the most harmful invasive species.
These huge freshwater fish were introduced to Lake Victoria, Africa. In a short time, they have caused the extinction of more than 200 endemic species of fish due to their predation and competition. Fishing and consumption activities are also believed to be related to the eutrophication of the lake and the invasion of the water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes).
It has been introduced to some Pacific islands and India as a predator of another invasive species: the African giant snail (Achatina fulica). It was introduced as food and animal resource in many countries, until it became an agricultural pest. Unsurprisingly, the wolf snail not only consumed the giant snail, but also exterminated many native species of gasteropods.
Caulerpa is probably the most harmful invasive plant in the world. It is a tropical algae that was introduced to the Mediterranean in the 1980s, probably as a result of an aquarium’s water spill. Today, it is already found throughout the Western Mediterranean, where it threatens the indigenous models in which many animals are reproduced.
There are several invasive alien species that have been introduced to Brazil that can cause social and environmental damage. Some invasive species in Brazil are:
The mesquite is a tree native to Peru that has been introduced to Brazil as fodding for goats. It causes animals to wear out and invade pastures, causing them to die sooner than they should.
Invasive species well known for transmitting dengue. The mosquito is native to Ethiopia and Egypt, tropical and subtropical regions. Although it is a vector of disease, not all mosquitoes are contaminated and do not pose a danger.
Also native to Egypt, Nile tilapia arrived in Brazil in the 20th century. This invasive species is omnivorous and reproduces very easily, eventually contributing to the extermination of native species.
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