Causing Problems

The problem with invasive species is that every native ecosystem is at risk. Invasive species share some common characteristics that cause them to be major disturbers of natural ecosystems. Here are some of the characteristics that make invasive species so dangerous.

- Ability to form a monoculture
- Ability to prevent native canopy tree regeneration
- Cloning
- Extreme competitiveness
- Hybridization
- No disturbance requirement
- No natural enemies
- Prolific reproduction
- Shade tolerance
- Shade generating
- Smothering
- Overgrazing
- Environment modifier

Another problem with invasive species is the fact that there is a finite amount of funding and support that we can provide to control or eradicate the problem. Because of this, resource managers need to prioritize the species and the areas that they deal with. To learn more about management decisions, choose Management on the banner.