The problems caused by invasive species are, of course, not something limited to the United States. Countries on the other side of the world have similar problems, including Australia. In the article Chronic Effects of an Invasive Species on an Animal Community, published by the Ecological Society of America in 2017, Sean Doody and colleagues discuss the effects of the cane toad on the ecosystem in parts of Australia. The cane toad has had a major effect on the ecosystem by causing massive damage to the populations of top predators, specifically 3 species of monitor lizards. Although the short-term damage to these predator populations was already harmful and the potential effects understood, Doody and colleagues sought to understand through
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The cane toad, like the hemlock wooly adelgid was able to thrive in its introduced environment due to similar abiotic condtions as those in its native habitat as well as a lack of natural predators (which were in its native habitat). Because neither have natural predators that are able to keep them under control, both were able to wreak massive effects on the ecosystem. Both caused major impacts on the ecosystem by damaging the populations of one species (or group of species) with rippling repercussions; however, while how these effects occurred differs mainly due to the differences in the species directly affected. Because the hemlock wooly adgelid damages hemlock tree populations, it effects the population in a bottom up manner; meanwhile, because the cane toad mainly has caused damage to top predator populations, it effects the population in a top down manner. Neither invasive species only affects the animals that they directly harm. The damage to hemlock populations causes damage to the aquatic stream environments and drastically changes the abiotic factors present; although extremely harmful, it is important to note that this could benefit certains species who tend to require more light, which is limited by the hemlock trees. The cane toad species’ damage on the top predators has increased populations of the predator’s
The cane toad, like the hemlock wooly adelgid was able to thrive in its introduced environment due to similar abiotic condtions as those in its native habitat as well as a lack of natural predators (which were in its native habitat). Because neither have natural predators that are able to keep them under control, both were able to wreak massive effects on the ecosystem. Both caused major impacts on the ecosystem by damaging the populations of one species (or group of species) with rippling repercussions; however, while how these effects occurred differs mainly due to the differences in the species directly affected. Because the hemlock wooly adgelid damages hemlock tree populations, it effects the population in a bottom up manner; meanwhile, because the cane toad mainly has caused damage to top predator populations, it effects the population in a top down manner. Neither invasive species only affects the animals that they directly harm. The damage to hemlock populations causes damage to the aquatic stream environments and drastically changes the abiotic factors present; although extremely harmful, it is important to note that this could benefit certains species who tend to require more light, which is limited by the hemlock trees. The cane toad species’ damage on the top predators has increased populations of the predator’s