What are invasive species?

Invasive species are defined as non-native species that, once introduced to a new environment, can cause significant disruption to the ecosystems they invade. This impact can manifest in various ways, including outcompeting native species for resources, altering habitat structures, introducing new diseases, and disrupting food webs.

When invasive species are introduced—often through human activity—they frequently lack natural predators or regulatory mechanisms in their new environments, allowing them to proliferate quickly. This unchecked growth can lead to a decline in native species populations, decreased biodiversity, and altered ecosystem functions.

Understanding invasive species is crucial for ecological conservation and management, as they can threaten the health of ecosystems worldwide. This definition clearly distinguishes invasive species from native species, endangered species, and animals bred for research purposes, highlighting their unique role in ecological disruption.