Invasive Species

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service defines an invasive species as “one that is not native to an ecosystem and which causes, or is likely to cause, economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.” Invasive species stem from the categorization of species as native or introduced. Native species are those that historically occurred in a given habitat. These form part of the greater community of plants, microorganisms, pollinators, and other species that exist in balance. Introduced species are species that can survive in an introduced environment.

This entry begins by describing how invasive species are introduced to an environment. Next, it describes their survival mechanisms. Then, it examines various methods of controlling invasive species, and it concludes with a discussion of other, perhaps beneficial, ...