Final answer:
Invasive species transform ecosystems by out-competing native organisms, changing habitats, spreading diseases, and causing native species to go extinct. Quick and effective management is vital, but often, control efforts commence too late, leading to significant and sometimes irreversible damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The introduction of invasive species can considerably alter existing ecosystems, a process known as ecosystem modification. These non-native species can have profound impacts by changing the physical structure of habitats, out-competing indigenous species, spreading diseases and parasites, and causing economic losses. For example, the North American beavers introduced in Tierra del Fuego have transformed forests into meadows, while in Florida, paperbark trees have converted prairies into forests. The Nile perch in Lake Victoria has led to the decline of native species and in Europe, non-native crayfish have brought diseases contributing to the near extinction of native crayfish populations.
Invasive species like the zebra mussel and Asian carp have disrupted food chains and driven native species to extinction by their superior competition for food resources. These changes can happen quickly once an invasive species has established, making it challenging to manage and control the damage. Early detection and intervention are critical, yet frequently, responses are too slow, leading to unmanageable spread and irreversible ecosystem damage, as seen with the algae Caulerpa webbiana and the toxic cane toad in Australia.