Invasive species

40.220.10^Invasive species

Invasive species

Invasive Species: As a broad definition, any species that has recently expanded its realised niche to colonise a new biogeographical area. Can be used synonymously with ‘non-native’. The negative connotations of the word ‘invasive’ makes ‘invasive species’ commonly synonymous with ‘exotic pest’ or ‘exotic weed’, i.e. a species from ‘elsewhere’ that causes harm to human economy or standard of living. In conservation biology, also commonly defined as a non-native species that harms native biodiversity. Note that only a fraction of non-native species that colonise a new area become established, and that only a fraction of these established invaders cause harm to humans or to biodiversity. An important challenge is to predict invasiveness and therefore prevent introduction of harmful invasive organisms. http://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/about-ecology/key-concepts-in-ecology/ RD

Accepted