Final answer:
Invasive species are non-native organisms that alter the community they invade. They can have impacts on native species and ecosystems. In engineering, invasive alien species can affect infrastructure and engineering projects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Invasive species are non-native organisms that, when introduced to an area out of its native range, alter the community they invade. They can have ecological and economic impacts on the native species and ecosystems. For example, in the United States, invasive species like the purple loosestrife and the zebra mussel have drastically altered aquatic ecosystems.
In engineering, understanding invasive alien species is relevant because they can affect infrastructure and engineering projects. For instance, invasive plants can clog waterways, impacting flood control systems or interfering with water supply infrastructure.
Overall, invasive alien species are a significant concern both in terms of environmental conservation and infrastructure management.