Invasive species
Introduced species that cause ecological or economic harm.
Among established non-native organisms, only those that endanger native species and biodiversity are considered invasive.[1] The concept of "invasive" lacks a precise definition and is frequently influenced by personal judgment.[1]
Quick Facts
- Field
- Invasion ecology; invasion biology
- Notable plant examples
- Kudzu vine
- water hyacinth
- common ragweed
- yellow starthistle
- Notable animal examples
- European rabbits
- domestic cats
- red swamp crayfish
Facts from the source article.
Key facts and history
According to Executive Order 13112, an invasive species is an alien species whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm.[2] The majority of studies concerning invasive organisms have been conducted within the fields of ecology and biogeography.[3] Charles Elton's 1958 publication The Ecology of Invasion by Animals and Plants has significantly shaped the direction of research in this area.[3] It was not until the 1990s that research in this field began to increase significantly.[3]
Around 1300, Polynesian settlers introduced dogs and rats to New Zealand, marking the first invasive species there.[4] The endemic species of New Zealand suffered severe declines as a result of these and subsequent introductions.[4] The shrub Lantana camara is classified as invasive in more than 60 countries.[4] A very restricted definition of invasive species is used by the USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center.[2]
What the research sources say
Wild pigs have been listed as one of the top 100 worst exotic invasive species in the world.[5] The mixing of soil horizons from wild pig rooting can alter vegetative communities and allow the spread of invasive plant species.[5] This large-scale soil disturbance can increase soil erosion rates and affect sensitive ecological areas.[5] When there is an economic incentive to harbor an invasive exotic species, it may become increasingly difficult to remove that species.[5]
References
- Wikipedia, "Invasive species" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Invasive Species and Biodiversity Management", Springer Science & Business Media, 30 June 2001, p. 2–; Colautti, "A neutral terminology to define 'invasive' species: Defining invasive species", Diversity and Distributions, 24 February 2004, p. 135–141; S. Inderjit, "Invasive Plants: Ecological and Agricultural Aspects", Springer Science & Business Media, 16 January 2006, p. 252–; Colautti, "A neutral terminology to define 'invasive' species: Defining invasive species", Diversity and Distributions, 24 February 2004, p. 135–141; Luscomb en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Invasive species" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Fishing Seasons and Rules Idaho Fish and Game", idfg.idaho.gov (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Invasive species" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Lockwood, "Invasion Ecology", Blackwell Publishing, 2007, p. 7; Lowry, "Biological invasions: A field synopsis, systematic review, and database of the literature", Ecology and Evolution, 2012, p. 182–96; Lowry, "Biological invasions: A field synopsis, systematic review, and database of the literature", Ecology and Evolution, 2012, p. 182–96; Lowry, "Biological invasions: A field synopsis, systematic review, and database of the literature", Ecology and Evolution, 2012, p. 182–96 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Invasive species" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Howe, "The Quest for Origins", Penguin Books, 2003, p. 179; "Rat remains help date New Zealand's colonisation", New Scientist, 4 June 2008; Goodman, "The birds of southeastern Madagascar", Fieldiana, 1997; Brown, "Long-term impacts of logging on forest diversity in Madagascar", Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 20 April 2004, p. 6045–6049; Kull, "Approaching invasive species in Madagascar", Madagascar Conservation & Development, 26 February 2015, p. 60; Villamagna, "Ecological and socio-economic impacts of invasive water en.wikipedia.org
- Kinsey, "Nuisance Wildlife in Texas: Wild Pigs", tpwd.texas.gov, 2020. facts only, no text reused. tpwd.texas.gov
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Invasive species (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
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