Answer: Invasive species threaten biodiversity because they exploit the resources of the ecosystem without natural predators or checks on their population. Their presence can lead to the decline of native species and disrupt the ecological balance of the ecosystem they invade.
Step-by-step explanation:
Invasive species threaten biodiversity because their presence in an ecosystem in which they did not evolve results in them being able to exploit the ecosystem's resources without predation or any other checks on their population.
Here's an explanation to support the answer:
1) Invasive species: Invasive species are non-native organisms that are introduced into a new ecosystem, either intentionally or unintentionally. They can outcompete native species for resources and disrupt the balance of the ecosystem. Invasive species often lack natural predators or parasites in their new environment, allowing their populations to grow rapidly and unchecked.
2) Threat to biodiversity: When invasive species become established in a new ecosystem, they can outcompete native species for resources such as food, water, and shelter. This competition can lead to the decline or even extinction of native species, reducing the overall biodiversity of the ecosystem. Invasive species can also alter the physical structure and composition of habitats, further impacting native species and ecosystem dynamics.
3) Lack of predators or checks: In their native habitats, species have evolved within a specific set of ecological relationships, including interactions with predators, parasites, and competitors. These relationships help regulate population sizes and prevent any one species from dominating the ecosystem. However, when invasive species are introduced into a new ecosystem where they lack their natural predators or checks, they can reproduce and spread rapidly, overwhelming native species and causing ecological imbalances.
Examples of invasive species include the brown tree snake in Guam, which has decimated bird populations, and the zebra mussel in the Great Lakes, which has disrupted native ecosystems and clogged water intake pipes.