Question

Lionfish are native to the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. After aquarium enthusiasts imported them to the United States, some of the lionfish gained access to coastal waters. Over the past several decades, populations of lionfish have grown tremendously in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean. Away from the predators of their home range, lionfish have consumed large numbers of native fish and damaged coral reefs. Select the human impact on biodiversity that best applies to this example.

Answer 1

The introduction of invasive species, such as lionfish in non-native waters, has led to significant impacts on local biodiversity, illustrating the consequences of the pet trade and human environmental interference.

Step-by-step explanation:

The human impact on biodiversity that best applies to the scenario of lionfish proliferation in non-native waters is the introduction of invasive species. When lionfish were introduced to coastal waters in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean, they began to consume large amounts of native fish and caused damage to coral reef ecosystems. This illustrates the serious consequences of the pet trade and the release or escape of non-native species into new environments. The lionfish, without their natural predators to control their populations, have been able to thrive at the expense of local biodiversity.

The pet trade has had significant impacts on biodiversity, including coral reefs that house approximately 4,000 marine fish species. The extraction of wild-caught organisms for aquariums can lead to population declines and unsustainable harvesting levels. Moreover, the lionfish example parallels other instances where non-native predators, such as dogs and cats on the Galápagos Islands, threaten indigenous species like the marine iguanas. Human activities, including overfishing and pollution, exacerbate these issues, leading to a multifaceted assault on marine ecosystems.