Invasive Species

An exotic species is one that has been introduced into a habitat it would not normally populate. This introduction can be intentional or unintentional. Exotic species have also been called introduced, nonnative, nonindigenous, or alien species. An invasive species is an exotic species that thrives in its new environment, disrupting the natural ecosystem. The majority of exotic species have been introduced unintentionally. "Hitchhiker" organisms such as seeds or insects attach to people's shoes, clothes, or luggage when they travel. When the humans return to their native land, they arrive bearing these nonnative species. Sometimes people bring beautiful plants and flowers home with them for ornamental purposes. These intentional introductions occur less frequently, but can have the same disastrous effects. Most of the time, the exotic species cannot survive in its new environment. Changes in climate, resources, and competition simply do not favor survival, and the organism eventually dies out. Occasionally, the introduced species ends up being invasive, out-competing the natural habitat for resources, displacing native flora and fauna, and wreaking economic havoc on a community.