Imagine you're having a party, and someone shows up uninvited and starts causing trouble, eating all the food and pushing everyone else around. That's similar to what happens when an invasive species enters an ecosystem. Invasive species are plants, animals, or microbes that are introduced to an area outside of their native range, where they can cause harm to the environment, the economy, or human health.
Invasive species often lack natural predators or diseases in their new environment, which allows them to spread rapidly and outcompete native species for resources. This can lead to a decline in biodiversity and disrupt the delicate balance of the ecosystem. For example, the zebra mussel, an invasive species in the Great Lakes, has caused significant damage to water infrastructure and has negatively impacted native fish populations.
Can you think of any invasive species in your local area? What are the impacts of these species on the environment and the economy? What can be done to prevent the spread of invasive species and to manage the damage they cause? Consider the importance of protecting native species and ecosystems from the threat of invasive species.
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