Nature cannot be thought of as composed of inert, dead matter. Instead, all life forms share the element of qi or material force- this shared psycho-physical entity becomes the basis for establishing reciprocity between the human and nonhuman worlds.- Confusious.
Have you ever heard of a plant or animal taking over a new environment? That’s what happens with invasive alien species, or IAS for short. These species aren’t initially from a place but are introduced by humans, intentionally or accidentally.
The problem is that these “hitchhikers” can wreak havoc on the local environment. Here’s how:
- Food Fight: IAS can outcompete native plants and animals for resources like food and water. Imagine a bully stealing lunch from all the other kids! This IAS can be a big problem, especially for things people rely on, like food crops and traditional medicines.
- Messy Eaters: Some IAS, like zebra mussels— a kind of striped shellfish that cling to surfaces can clog waterways and harm water quality. Think of them as messy eaters who leave a big mess behind! This IAS can make the water unsafe for drinking and swimming.
- Soil Spoilers: Weeds and other invasive plants can change soil quality, making it harder for native plants to grow. It’s like changing the recipe for a healthy garden; suddenly, nothing wants to grow there anymore!
- Decomposers in Disguise: Animals like wild pigs (feral pigs, invasive pigs, destructive scavengers) can disrupt the natural process of breaking down dead plants and animals— this throws off the whole ecosystem’s balance, like having a broken recycling system in nature!
Double Trouble: Disease and Climate Change
In addition to everything else, IAS can also spread diseases to native wildlife, farm animals, and even humans. With more travel and trade worldwide, the risk of spreading these diseases is growing.
Climate change adds another layer of trouble. As the weather gets warmer in some areas, it becomes suitable for invasive species that couldn’t survive there. Take the mountain pine beetle in Canada, for example. These tiny insects are a natural forest part but usually die off in cold winters. With warmer winters due to climate change, the beetle population has exploded. They’ve killed millions of pine trees, turning vast forest areas into a sea of dead trees. The mountain pine beetle in Canada is a dramatic example of how climate change can help invasive species take over.
What can we do?
There are ways to stop the spread of invasive species. We can be careful about what plants and animals we transport and take steps to control existing populations. By working together, we can protect our environment from these harmful hitchhikers!
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