Newfoundland and Labrador Invasive Species Council

BIODIVERSITY:

The variability among living organisms

from all sources including, terrestrial,

marine and other aquatic

ecosystems and the ecological complexes of

which they are part; this includes

diversity within species, between species

and of ecosystems.

THREATS:

The potential negative outcomes to a

habitat or species after the introduction of

an exotic species. Threats include

biodiversity loss, introduction of

predators, and loss of food source.

PATHWAYS OF INTRODUCTION:

The activity, most commonly human,

that provides the opportunity for species to

establish in new habitats.

INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES:

Harmful exotic species whose

introduction or spread threatens the

environment, economy, or society,

including human health.

EXOTIC SPECIES:

Plants, animals and micro-organisms

existing in habitats beyond their natural

distribution. Their introduction is

usually caused by humans or human

activities but most do not become

invasive. Exotic species are also referred to

as introduced, non-native, alien and

non-indigenous species.

Definitions

References

Invasive Species: Managing the unwanted

According to the WCU (World Conservation Union) Invasive species pose a huge threat to biodiversity. In-fact, it is widely accepted that invasive species may be the second biggest threat to biodiversity, next to habitat loss (1). Invasive species can act as predators, competitors, disease carriers and hybridizers (1). If the conditions are right and the invasive species is aggressive it can potentially cause major problems for ecosystems.

Invasive species usually have high rates of reproduction, the ability to survive and adapt to multiple environments and have few predators pose the biggest threat to ecosystem in which they are introduced. The cost for governments to try and contain or remove invasive species can reach billions of dollars per year (1). It is important to note that invasive species have many affects socially, economically and of course environmentally. When determining the threat an invasive species poses, one must take into account multiple factors.