Year: 2014
Type: report
Abstract: An "invasive" species (also known as an alien, exotic, injurious, introduced or naturalized, non-native, nonindigenous, nuisance, or noxious species) refers to an animal or plant that is introduced into an environment where it is not native.Of particular concern are non-native animal and plant species that have caused or seem likely to cause substantial economic or ecological harm.However, not all non-native species are invasive or harmful.The introduction of invasive species to the United States from around the globe-whether deliberate or unintentional-can pose threats to native animal and plant communities and may result in extinctions of native species, ecosystems disruptions as native and non-native species compete for limited resources, reduced biodiversity, and altered terrestrial or aquatic habitats.Invasive species may also introduce new pests and diseases.An estimated 50,000 non-native invasive animal and plant species have been introduced to the United States, resulting in economic costs estimated at more than $100 billion annually.Various invasive species have had severe economic impacts on U.S. industries and the natural environment.Damage can span an enormous range of effects, such as power outages; loss of farmland property value; contamination of grain; spread of human and other diseases; increased operating costs; loss of irrigation water; collapse of buildings; competition with native plants; loss of sport, game, or endangered species; and ecosystem disturbance.
Authors: Johnson, Renée, Corn, M. Lynne
Language: English
Subfield: Nature and Landscape Conservation
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7153691250