گونه های گیاهی و جانوری مهاجم (Invasive Species)

Invasive species is a matter of global concern which is overshadowed by some issues like oil spill, endangered species, climate change, etc most of the time.

Any species, including plants, animals, etc have a natural habitat to live in. If, by any means, they make their way out of it, they might become destructive to the new ecosystem. Such species are called invasive or alien.

International trade, in the last 5 centuries in particular, has been the main culprit. Some species stow away in cargoes, being transferred unwittingly to the distances which might be thousands of kilometers away. Ballast water of the huge ships, which helps vessels achieve balance when they are unloaded, also share the blame. In addition, immigration and trips play significant roles in the introduction of such species to new places.

They have the potential to jeopardize or extinct the natives, to live a mark on the economy, and to waste big budgets approved to fight them.

Many solutions are on the table to combat the invasive, although prevention seems to be the best policy.