Introduced or invasive species - Lab Report Example

Invasive or Introduced Species" Introduction An introduced or invasive species is a species inhabiting out of its native location and has been introduced by human actions either by chance or by wish. In certain cases these species may not adapt themselves to the new-fangled environment and therefore they display very little survival rate, on the other hand some of the species survive well and proliferate in the newly introduced novel habitat. It is observed that some of the introduced species are deteriorating the natural environment to which they have been introduced, on the other hand some of the species do not display any harmful impact on the ecology of the new environment.

With the introduction of globalization, efforts are on the way to introduce various plants and animals to other locations. Some of the species enhance the biodiversity of the new habitat while others require human involvement and care for their proliferation. The introduced species creates disturbance as it is potentially eliminating biomass from a specific community (Hughes, 2010; Invasive Plants-- A Horticultural Perspective). The problem occurs when the invasive species affects the agriculture, forest and also the prey and predators of the ecosystem.

Reports state that 2/3rd of 40 North American fresh water extinct fishes in a century, were due to the invasive species. Thus invasive species are creating troubles for the native species in a varied manner- they not only affect the space, but also create competition for the food and therefore affect the food chain and food web, thereby affecting the ecosystem. They may act as predators for the native species, reproduce with the native species and generate hybrids. In such case rare species of the native environment are becoming endangered.

Some of the US invasions encompass-Northern snakehead- invaded from Asia and affects the ecosystem of Potomac River.West Nile virus- first appeared in US (1999) and then later expanded to other regions as well and by the end of year 2002, 3000 victims were accounted.Enhanced trade has made an invasion of Asian longhorn beetle from China to US (1996). It came to US in a wood packing material. The beetle is known to nourish on the hardwood trees and also on sugar maple thereby creating serious menace to the US forest (Invasive species.).Resolution Threats imposed by invasive species are becoming a serious issue across the world.

They are affecting the natural ecosystem to a greater extent. Keeping this in view, President Clinton endorsed an Executive Order 13112 in the year 1999 to preclude the initiation of invasive species to prevent the ecosystem. It is the need of time to detect the introduction of the species as early as possible and measures should be taken to eradicate the species before it proliferates to the alarming levels. In some cases if the invaders cannot be controlled then their proliferation could be checked.

Once proliferation of alien or introduced species is checked then it becomes imperative to restore the native species of the ecosystem (Invasive species). References"Invasive Species". 10 Aug 2011.< http://www.natureserve.org/consIssues/invasivespecies.jsp>.This site provided the danger being imposed by the invasive species. It illustrates this with various examples.Hughes, A. Randall. "Disturbance and Diversity: An Ecological Chicken and Egg Problem". 10 Aug 2011. .It illustrates about the implications of Disturbance that is created by invasive species.

"Invasive Plants-- A Horticultural Perspective". 10 Aug 2011. < http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-080/426-080.html >.It provides a deep insight about the interventions being imposed by the invasive plants, both positive and negative aspects are discussed in an explicit manner.