Non-native organisms that spread and harm local ecosystems and economies.
Introduced intentionally or accidentally; they spread because of lack of natural enemies. Impacts: competition, predation, disease and hybridisation. Costs run to hundreds of billions annually.
Invasive species spread via trade and travel. Control includes prevention, eradication and biological control. Biological control sometimes backfires.
Common mistake: not all non-native species are invasive.
Non-native organisms that spread and harm local ecosystems and economies.
Invasive Species is one of the 52 topics in Taxonomy & Biodiversity. It is rated Beginner, so it suits learners who are starting out in biology. Related topics in this area include Hybridisation and Species Boundaries, Conservation Biology, Species.
Cane toads in Australia and zebra mussels in North America.
Invasive Species is a Beginner topic, so no earlier topic is required. Other Beginner topics in Taxonomy & Biodiversity that pair well with it include Taxonomy, Binomial Nomenclature, Taxonomic Hierarchy.
The closest topics to Invasive Species are Hybridisation and Species Boundaries, Conservation Biology, Species, Binomial Nomenclature. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Invasive Species. To practise the whole of Taxonomy & Biodiversity, use the Taxonomy & Biodiversity quiz.
Invasive Species: Non-native organisms that spread and harm local ecosystems and economies. Hybridisation and Species Boundaries: Gene exchange between species blurs lines, as in polar and grizzly bear hybrids. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
Not all non-native species are invasive.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Hybridisation and Species Boundaries and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Taxonomy & Biodiversity quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Gene exchange between species blurs lines, as in polar and grizzly bear hybrids.
🗂️ Taxonomy & BiodiversityThe scientific study and protection of biodiversity.
🗂️ Taxonomy & BiodiversityA basic unit of classification; organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
🗂️ Taxonomy & BiodiversityLinnaeus's two-part naming system using genus and species, such as Homo sapiens.
🗂️ Taxonomy & Biodiversity