What are the implications of invasive species for native biodiversity and ecosystems?

Introduction

Invasive species are non-native organisms that establish themselves in new environments, often causing significant disruptions to native biodiversity and ecosystem functions. These species can alter habitat structures, outcompete native species, and introduce new diseases, leading to ecological, economic, and social consequences.

Key Insights

Impact on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functions
- Invasive species generally reduce native species abundance and biodiversity, particularly affecting macrophytes, zooplankton, and fish in aquatic ecosystems .
- Invasive plants like Spartina species decrease biodiversity but can increase faunal abundance and fitness in coastal ecosystems.
- Invasive ants disrupt native fauna through predation, competition, and habitat disturbance, leading to biodiversity loss.
Alteration of Ecosystem Processes
- Invasive species can significantly alter ecosystem processes, such as increasing water turbidity, nitrogen, and organic matter concentration, which can lead to eutrophication.
- Invasive amphipods reduce leaf litter recycling rates, impacting organic matter decomposition in aquatic ecosystems.
Economic and Social Implications
- Invasive species cause substantial economic damage by degrading assets and reducing the services provided by ecosystems, costing billions annually .
- The presence of invasive species reduces the maximum sustainable yield of native exploited species, impacting sustainable resource use.
Management and Recovery
- Removal of invasive species can aid in the recovery of native faunal communities, although the success depends on the specific removal methods and duration.
- Effective management strategies include preventing new invasions, monitoring invasive species spread, and employing integrated trans-disciplinary approaches .
Context-Dependent Impacts
- The impact of invasive species is highly context-dependent, influenced by species traits, environmental settings, and the specific ecological measures examined.
- Higher native biodiversity can mitigate the negative effects of invasive species, highlighting the importance of preserving native species diversity.

Conclusion

Invasive species pose significant threats to native biodiversity and ecosystem functions by reducing native species abundance, altering ecosystem processes, and causing economic damage. Effective management and prevention strategies are crucial for mitigating these impacts. The context-dependent nature of these impacts underscores the need for tailored approaches that consider species traits and environmental settings. Preserving native biodiversity can help buffer against the adverse effects of invasive species.

What are the implications of invasive species for native biodiversity and ecosystems?

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Can the native faunal communities be restored from removal of invasive plants in coastal ecosystems? A global meta‐analysis

Invasive Spartina species in coastal ecosystems can decrease biodiversity but increase abundance and fitness, and removal of these plants can help native faunal communities recover, but long-term waterlogging should be avoided.

Global ecological impacts of invasive species in aquatic ecosystems

Invasive species negatively impact aquatic communities, particularly macrophytes, zooplankton, and fish, but do not generally decrease species diversity, suggesting a time lag between abundance changes and local extinctions.

Impacts of invasive species on the sustainable use of native exploited species

Invasive species reduce the maximum sustainable yield of native species, but appropriate cleaning efforts can help protect biodiversity and recover stocks, reducing the impact of biological invasions on sustainable resource use.

Managing invasive species

Invasive species negatively impact native ecosystems and biodiversity, costing governments, industries, and private citizens billions of dollars annually, and require vigilant management in an increasingly connected global community.

Impact of invasive ant species on native fauna across similar habitats under global environmental changes

Invasive ant species negatively impact native fauna, and regulating their invasion mode and rate is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem stability.

Biological Pollution Prevention Strategies under Ignorance:The Case of Invasive Species

Invasive alien species (IAS) are a significant cause of biodiversity loss and economic impacts, primarily due to human activities like trade and travel.

Invasive alien plant species: Their impact on environment, ecosystem services and human health

Invasive alien plant species (IAPS) negatively impact the environment, ecosystem services, and human health, highlighting the need for integrated trans-disciplinary research and geo-spatial technologies for sustainable management.

Potential impact of invasive amphipods on leaf litter recycling in aquatic ecosystems

Invasive amphipods significantly decrease leaf litter recycling in aquatic ecosystems, leading to a 66% decrease in decomposition rates compared to native species.

Native fish diversity alters the effects of an invasive species on food webs.

Higher native fish diversity mitigates the negative effects of common carp on native fish growth and ecosystem function, highlighting the need to consider biodiversity when predicting the impacts of invasive species.

A global assessment of invasive plant impacts on resident species, communities and ecosystems: the interaction of impact measures, invading species' traits and environment

Invasive plant species tend to decrease species and community outcomes, but soil biota abundance and richness often increase, with impact influenced by species traits and the biome invaded.

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