Invasive Species- Causes and Effects

“Invasive plants and animals are the second greatest threat to biodiversity after habitat loss” (http://www.env.gov.yk.ca ) Invasive species (non-indigenous species, non-native species) are a massive threat to ecosystems around the world and need to be stopped. They are brought into our ecosystems by irresponsible and risky actions, and the impacts can tear ecosystems apart, not to mention our wallets, the solutions are complex and almost impossible to accomplice but the prevention is a simple matter of stewardship. From Giant Hogweed to feral cats Invasive species need to be stopped.
Defining the Impact/Activity: Invasive species are species that have been introduced to an ecosystem that affect the habitats and bioregions they invade economically, ecologically, socially, and culturally in a negative manner. This paper will describe the intentional and non-intentional causes, ecological, social, cultural, and economic impacts, the solutions, and the ways to prevent invasive species.
Causes- Unintentional: Many invasive species were introduced into other ecosystems when the industrial and human transportation industries took off. Many invasive species were introduced through trading, travel and tourism, transport, release of ballast waters from ships, escape from fish farms, openings of canals and waterways, use of live bait, escape from aquariums or water gardens, escape from live food fish trade, recreational boating and movement of equipment and gear, gardening, seed mixtures, escaped pets, and fire wood. Many present day invasive species were introduced through human imprudence and negligence, like the spiny water flea, big head, silver, and black carp, sea lamprey, round goby, fanwort, bass, pike, and zebra mussels. However, many introductions of invasive species were intentional.
Causes- Intentional: Although most invasive species were unintentionally brought into an ecosystem, many were 100% intentional, granting the