75.3k views
0 votes
How does introduction of invasive and non-native species imapct the ecosystem?

1 Answer

1 vote

The impacts of introducing a non-native or invasive species to an ecosystem will vary depending on a number of factors. Sometimes, the introduced species may not survive, if there is no ecological niche for the species to fill or the species cannot adapt to fill a different ecological niche.

However, if the species is able to thrive in a variety of environments and consume many food sources, that species will likely do well. No two species can share the same ecological niche, so either the native or non-native species will be better adapted and survive. If the invasive species is better adapted, it will out compete the native species. If the species reproduces quickly, it is also more likely to thrive in a new ecosystem.

Typically, invasive species harm an ecosystem, while non-native species either have a positive impact or have no impact. Therefore, if the introduced species adapts to fill a niche that is not already taken, it won't change the balance of the ecosystem; and maybe even help. If it competes with another species and succeeds in filling it's ecological niche, then the introduced, now invasive, species can harm the ecosystem.

User Pappus
by
7.8k points

Related questions

asked Feb 7, 2024 31.6k views
Hanna asked Feb 7, 2024
by Hanna
7.4k points
1 answer
0 votes
31.6k views
asked Oct 4, 2019 72.0k views
Rory Alsop asked Oct 4, 2019
by Rory Alsop
8.4k points
2 answers
3 votes
72.0k views
1 answer
2 votes
8.8k views
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.