Conservationists have had a tight focus on invasive species for decades. These species cross ecological boundaries and establish themselves in new areas where they affect the environment indefinitely. Conservationists are skeptical, and for good reason: Invasive species collide with natural environments and as follows, affecting biodiversity. Invasive species can benefit endangered environments; however, there should be stricter regulations of imported species to avoid the possibility of unintended negative consequences because they cause harm to the environment, impact biodiversity, and strain the economic system. These invasive species alter ecosystem processes, in turn affecting the diversity in the environment. For instance, the European
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In a case study conducted by the U.S. Department of State, they reported $500 million annual cost to remove Zebra Mussels that cover submerged surfaces, clogging up water intakes at water treatment facilities and power plants in the Great Lakes alone (Source E). Zebra Mussels aren’t the only species raising damage costs, the Kudzu vine corruption, as previously discussed, is estimated by power companies to spend an estimated $1.5 million each year to control growth on power lines. These species are destructive, raising a mighty $120 billion annually in control methods and in loss of environmental resources in the United States; however, Emma Marris, a well known writer that focuses on modern environmentalism provides a different perspective. She challenges the definition of “native” as the world is an ever changing climate estate (Source D). For example, the introduction of the Aldabra tortoise on the islands of Mauritius. The islands lost their own large tortoises, and the fruiting plants that formerly had their seeds moved around by these reptiles have been on the decline, and now the Aldabra tortoise upholds this job. In Cape Cod, Massachusetts, researchers have found that the European Green crab is reversing a decades long trend of damage that the Purple Marsh Crab has inflicted on salt marshes thus defeating the soil erosion issue and,ultimately, resulting in the return of cordgrass for …show more content…
Through Macqueen’s article, she educates on the increasing problem of the venomous Lionfish encountering the population of local reef fish (Source A). Divers have reported more sightings of Lionfish from deep sea wrecks, up to the first 15 feet of warm reef. These fish are overpowering the reef, as they can prey on anything 30 times their size and can breed four times as fast as native fish species. Lionfish are reproducing at an alarming rate, and they are eating the other fish before they are able to reproduce. Invasive species, just as the Lionfish, are very adaptable and that’s how they reduce the native wildlife and productivity of the ecosystem. In the instance of the Kudzu vine, it is extremely hard to get rid of as it reshapes the entire landscape, enshrouding its surroundings (Source C). Invasive species fight for dominance and colonize these habitats, excluding the native species. This global matter must be addressed, as the problem of invasive species is growing daily, and the economic and environmental impacts are
In a case study conducted by the U.S. Department of State, they reported $500 million annual cost to remove Zebra Mussels that cover submerged surfaces, clogging up water intakes at water treatment facilities and power plants in the Great Lakes alone (Source E). Zebra Mussels aren’t the only species raising damage costs, the Kudzu vine corruption, as previously discussed, is estimated by power companies to spend an estimated $1.5 million each year to control growth on power lines. These species are destructive, raising a mighty $120 billion annually in control methods and in loss of environmental resources in the United States; however, Emma Marris, a well known writer that focuses on modern environmentalism provides a different perspective. She challenges the definition of “native” as the world is an ever changing climate estate (Source D). For example, the introduction of the Aldabra tortoise on the islands of Mauritius. The islands lost their own large tortoises, and the fruiting plants that formerly had their seeds moved around by these reptiles have been on the decline, and now the Aldabra tortoise upholds this job. In Cape Cod, Massachusetts, researchers have found that the European Green crab is reversing a decades long trend of damage that the Purple Marsh Crab has inflicted on salt marshes thus defeating the soil erosion issue and,ultimately, resulting in the return of cordgrass for …show more content…
Through Macqueen’s article, she educates on the increasing problem of the venomous Lionfish encountering the population of local reef fish (Source A). Divers have reported more sightings of Lionfish from deep sea wrecks, up to the first 15 feet of warm reef. These fish are overpowering the reef, as they can prey on anything 30 times their size and can breed four times as fast as native fish species. Lionfish are reproducing at an alarming rate, and they are eating the other fish before they are able to reproduce. Invasive species, just as the Lionfish, are very adaptable and that’s how they reduce the native wildlife and productivity of the ecosystem. In the instance of the Kudzu vine, it is extremely hard to get rid of as it reshapes the entire landscape, enshrouding its surroundings (Source C). Invasive species fight for dominance and colonize these habitats, excluding the native species. This global matter must be addressed, as the problem of invasive species is growing daily, and the economic and environmental impacts are