Invasive species are not only spreading rapidly, but they’re winning. The reason this occurs is more tied to human behavior than one might think.
At first glance, it might seem that invasive species are just naturally stronger than the plants native to a certain area, yet this isn’t entirely true. The major issue that contributes to the dominance of invasive species comes from the perfect conditions that humans have created for them to take over. Through agricultural and infrastructural development we’ve reshaped ecosystems in ways that favor fast growing, adaptable species over slower, and more specialized native ones.
Invasive species are capable of thriving in environments that struggle with biodiversity loss. When land is grazed or built on, for example, invasive species spread easily due to a lack of competing species, exacerbating the problem. Native species that evolved and adapted to natural surroundings for centuries struggle to adjust under these very novel conditions. Conversely, invasive species are biologically designed to succeed in disrupted ecosystems. This happens because they reproduce at very fast rates, and are generalists that thrive in a wide range of conditions, which is scientifically known as phenotypic plasticity.
Rapidly changing circumstances are noticeably contributing to the problem. As droughts become more common, and temperatures rise, native species are given a short timeframe to adapt to these conditions. On the other hand, invasive species are often much more adaptable. They can survive harsh conditions and are more flexible than their native counterparts. This gives invasive species a significant advantage over other plants, especially in an era defined by climate change. Over time, the visible effects are a loss of biodiversity and a less resilient ecosystem.
This shift has serious implications. For instance, when invasive species dominate, ecosystems lose biodiversity, which is a prerequisite for resilience. Diverse ecosystems are inherently stronger than uniform ones. This is because diverse ecosystems have a greater number of individual species that can endure stress, whether that is drought, disease, or rapidly changing climate conditions. When diversity disappears, that strength in resilience is diminished.
Understanding why invasive species are winning is the first step towards combatting the issue, but secondly creating a culture that battles climate change is the second step. For example, ensuring that we dispose of our trash correctly, saving energy at home, or taking sustainable forms of transportation — such as walking, biking, and public transportation — even the playing field for ecosystems.
The future of our ecosystems depend on more than just pulling weeds. We as a society need to change our cultural behaviors to better accommodate our environment. We must dismantle conditions that allow invading species, by reducing our carbon footprint and allowing biodiversity to thrive. Every sustainable choice that is made is a protest against our growing issue of invasive species. Actively thinking about your actions is what can improve the wellbeing of the future generations.