Introduction
Non-indigenous or non-native species are species that have been introduced into an area or region that is not their normal habitat or environment. These species are sometimes very invasive and will take over the areas that they inhabit. There can be very negative effects from the introduction of non-indigenous species into certain environments. The ecosystem of an area is likely to be compromised from certain aggressive and invasive species. The lionfish is one of those.
The Lionfish Invasion
Native species are species that have a historical connection and are indigenous to specific environments and areas. In the mid 1980’s two species of lionfish were introduced into Florida’s coastal waters. The lionfish population has spread throughout the southeast area of the United States, Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. Lionfish are members of the scorpionfish family. Lionfish are invasive and predatory and can disrupt the ecosystem and have a negative effect on the coral reefs and …show more content…
Lionfish are strong and very successful invaders and a single lionfish can have significant, deleterious effects on the environment that they inhabit, which, in turn, will hurt the native-species. Lionfish could create one of the most devastating marine invasions in history (Albins & Hixon, 2010). The study of invasion biology attempts to predict how non-indigenous invaders will continue to grow in density thus threatening native species and the surrounding habitat. The research shows that lionfish population will continue to grow in mass and will upset the natural balance of the coral reefs. I believe that the removal of the lionfish will be necessary to stop the decline of species in native habitats. Management of the lionfish will go a long way in conserving the diversity and richness of native species on the coral reef (Benkwitt,
Non-indigenous or non-native species are species that have been introduced into an area or region that is not their normal habitat or environment. These species are sometimes very invasive and will take over the areas that they inhabit. There can be very negative effects from the introduction of non-indigenous species into certain environments. The ecosystem of an area is likely to be compromised from certain aggressive and invasive species. The lionfish is one of those.
The Lionfish Invasion
Native species are species that have a historical connection and are indigenous to specific environments and areas. In the mid 1980’s two species of lionfish were introduced into Florida’s coastal waters. The lionfish population has spread throughout the southeast area of the United States, Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. Lionfish are members of the scorpionfish family. Lionfish are invasive and predatory and can disrupt the ecosystem and have a negative effect on the coral reefs and …show more content…
Lionfish are strong and very successful invaders and a single lionfish can have significant, deleterious effects on the environment that they inhabit, which, in turn, will hurt the native-species. Lionfish could create one of the most devastating marine invasions in history (Albins & Hixon, 2010). The study of invasion biology attempts to predict how non-indigenous invaders will continue to grow in density thus threatening native species and the surrounding habitat. The research shows that lionfish population will continue to grow in mass and will upset the natural balance of the coral reefs. I believe that the removal of the lionfish will be necessary to stop the decline of species in native habitats. Management of the lionfish will go a long way in conserving the diversity and richness of native species on the coral reef (Benkwitt,