Invasive species: what are examples and consequences

We begin by clarifying what an invasive species is exactly. When we talk about invasive species we refer to Species of remote origin that when arriving at a New place, they are established and spread at high speed modifying the structure and functioning of the ecosystem.

As a common factor, all invasive species have characteristics that explain the success of invasions: high growth and reproduction rates. In addition, biological invasions can be favored by the similarity of climatic conditions with those presented by the region of origin of the species and, also, by the degree of vulnerability or susceptibility of the native biota.

He biological invasion process It consists of three stages:

1. Transport stagewhere a species is transported from its place of origin to a new territory. From that moment the species is classified as exotic. However, how invasive species arrive at new territories is a complex issue, although most species are deliberately transferred, some specimens are accidentally transported, as in the case of weeds whose seeds can be harvested with commercial seeds or even rats and insects that are housed aboard ships and airplanes.
2. Settlement stageoccurs when the exotic species finds the favorable conditions to survive and reproduce in the new ecosystem, so that it can form populations. In this instance the species has naturalized.
3. Propagation stagehappens when the naturalized species presents a propagation capacity greater than that presented by the species of the ecosystem, a fact that leads to the alteration of the environment. Now the species is considered invasive.

In this section, we present some Examples of invasive species in Spain, Argentina and Mexico and we develop two cases of invasive species and their impacts.

Examples of invasive species in Spain

• American mink (NEOVISON VISON)
• Argentine Cotorra (Mylopsychus monachus)
• American crab (Procambarus Clarkii)
• Camalote (Eichhornia Crassipes)
• Alianto (Ailanthus Altissima)

Examples of invasive species in Argentina

• Red belly squirrel (Calllosciurus erythraeus)
• Colorado deer (Cervus elaphus)
• Beaver (Beaver)
• Black Acacia (GLEDITSIA TRIACANTHOS)
• Paper Morero (BOUSONETIA PAPYREFERA)

Examples of invasive species in Mexico

• FERAL POCKET OR JUALÍ (Your scrofa)
• Black rat (Rattus rattus)
• Zebra mussel (Dreissena Polymorpha). He has also invaded the Spanish coasts.
• Colorado lionfish (Pterois Volitans). Originally from the Indian Ocean, the waters of Mexico and also the Spanish marine waters in the Mediterranean Sea.
• Mother of thousands (Kalachoe delagoensis)
• Aquatic lily (Eichhornia Crassipes)

The case of Argentine Cotors in Spain

Possibly you have ever listened to the problem of Argentine Cotors in Madrid, one of the best known cases of invading animals. This species was introduced by man in the 80s, for its attractiveness as a pet. However, as a result of intentional escapes or releases, the Argentine Cotorra managed to establish not only in Madrid but also in other parts of the country (for example, they are very abundant in Barcelona), reaching a population of approximately 20,000 copies throughout Spain. The establishment of this invasive species causes problems of various kinds, including: ecological problems, such as the displacement of native species; social problems, such as sound pollution in urban areas, transmission of diseases to humans and the possible fall of their nests that, due to their weight, can be lethal; and also economic problems since they cause important damage to crops.

The case of black acacia in Argentina

An exemplary case of invasive plants It is the black acacia originally from the United States, which was introduced in the Pampas pastures of Argentina from 1800 during European colonization. Today, the specimens of black acacia have dispersed throughout the country. Particularly, they have been installed on the coast of the rivers and streams considerably modifying the ecosystem. On the one hand, its presence reduces the availability of light which first damages the photosynthesizing organisms and, consequently, to the entire trophic chain. Also the presence of black acacia represents a difficulty for fauna, since it has many branches with large thorns. In this way, native species are displaced because due to the alteration of their habitat they do not present a safe refuge, food and nesting site.

Here you can learn more about what are invasive plants and examples of species.

As we have indicated at the beginning, the great consequence of the biological invasions translates into the Loss of biological diversity. In this other article you can learn more about the causes and consequences of the loss of biodiversity.

You should probably be asking what damage causes invasive species in biodiversity. The establishment of invasive species causes, in the first place, the Displacement of native speciesmainly when the invasive species uses the resources of the native species but more effectively. They also cause alterations in the interaction networks between species, since it is frequent, for example, that the species of invasive plants compete with the natives by the pollinators and dispersers of the ecosystem. In addition, we cannot ignore the possibility that the invaders bring with them diseases or pests to which they are resistant, but not local biodiversity.

You can learn more about what a native or native species is with this other ecology article.

The possible solutions to the problem of invasive species They are not easy to find, since once the species has managed to settle, it is difficult to eradicate. Despite this, there are some Management strategies:

• In principle, constant monitoring of ecosystems is made to achieve early detection.
• Then the control of invasive populations, that is, reduce the abundance of the species and limit their distribution.
• Finally, mitigation is done. That is, to use strategies that do not point to the management of the invasive species, but rather to the resource that you want to conserve.

However, the best strategy is prevention, since Avoid the introduction of exotic specieswhich can then become invaders, it is less expensive than other management strategies. In this other post we talk more about the introduction of exotic species: causes and consequences.

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