About Invasive Species

• Any non-native species that significantly modifies or disrupts the ecosystems it colonizes is referred to as invasive in nature. 
• An invasive species can be any kind of living organism, an amphibian, plant, insect, fish, fungus, bacteria, or even an organism’s seeds or eggs that is not native to an ecosystem and causes harm. 
• Common characteristics include 

• Rapid reproduction and growth,

• High dispersal ability, 

• Phenotypic plasticity (ability to adapt physiologically to new conditions), and 

• Ability to survive in a wide range of environmental conditions.

Threats posed by Invasive species

• Competition for resources: Invasive species often outcompete native species for essential resources such as food, water, light, and space.
• Habitat Degradation: Invasive species can alter habitats by modifying soil composition, disrupting hydrological cycles, leading to habitat degradation.
• Disease Transmission: Invasive species may introduce new diseases to which native species lack resistance leading to mortality of native species.
• Biodiversity Loss: Invasive species can reduce populations of native species and overtime also result in local extinctions.

Why in news ?

• Heavy Rains in Kerala have lifted water levels in rivers and cleared invasive water hyacinth plants.