Final answer:
Invasive species disrupt symbiotic relationships by competing with natives, altering habitats, or introducing diseases, resulting in ecosystem modifications and sometimes an invasional meltdown that affects entire communities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Invasive species can have significant impacts on symbiotic relationships within ecosystems. They may compete with native species for resources, alter habitats, introduce diseases, and affect trophic levels. Invasive species, such as the Colorado potato beetle, have shifted from native host plants to agriculturally important ones, affecting the dynamics of local plant-insect interactions. For instance, the exotic Red-eared Slider has displaced native turtle populations, altering predator-prey relationships and impacting the biodiversity and functioning of aquatic ecosystems.
Moreover, invasive species can lead to ecosystem modification, changing the physical structure of habitats and consequently affecting native species. The introduction of beavers in Tierra del Fuego, for example, transformed forests into meadows, thereby impacting the entire ecosystem. Similarly, the introduction of non-native species in Lake Victoria led to drastic changes in native fish populations, highlighting the potential for invasive species to outcompete or predate native species.
Another phenomenon resulting from invasive species is known as invasional meltdown, where multiple introduced species interact in ways that enhance their survival and impact. These complex interactions often lead to unforeseen consequences for native species and ecosystem functioning, reflecting the intricate nature of ecological communities and the challenges of managing invasive species.