Invasive Species: A non- native species whose introduction causes economic or environmental harm.
Positive invasive specie would be the Asian Oyster. These oysters are more efficient at filtering out water pollutants than native species are. The Asian Oyster also grows faster and withstands disease better than native species. Biologists are recently discussing whether or not to introduce the oyster in the Chesapeake Bay area to help restore oyster stocks and clean up the bay pollutions.
A Negative invasive species would be an Asian shrub known as the Amur honeysuckle. The Amur has invaded many eastern North American areas. It invades many open fields and open woodlands. It spreads so rapidly because birds and other animals disperse the plants seeds. It impacts the natural regeneration of forests. The Amur reduces tree seedling density and grown of perennial forest plants.Three Invasive Species in Kentucky:
Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei): Winter creeper is an evergreen that invades forests throughout the eastern United States. Winter creeper aggressively invades open forests and openings. The dense ground cover displaces native species and restricts tree seedling establishment. It also smothers and kills shrubs and small trees. The plant in native to Asia and was introduced to the U.S. in 1907.
Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora): Multiflora rose is a multi-stemmed, thorny perennial shrub that grows up to 15 feet tall. The stems are arching canes that are round in cross section and have stiff, curved thorns. The plant forms thick thickets in pastures, fields and at forest edges. It restricts human, livestock, and wildlife movement and displaces native vegetation. Miltiflora is originally from Asia.
Poison hemlock (Conium macalatum): Poison hemlock is a herb that can grow from 3- 10 feet. The stems are hollow, ribbed and purple-spotted. One plant produces over 30,000 seeds. The plants when eaten are poisonous to almost all animals. The plant is native to Europe and was introduced to North America in the 1800s.
Invasive species are organisms that cause harm to an ecosystem and other organisms. Invasive species can either be unintentionally entered in an environment, or they can be introduced on purpose. An introduced species can be invasive, but they are not always. Species are introduced usually to help an ecosystem or other organisms.
