Invasive Species: those that were introduced by humans, deliberately or accidentally
--> often not effectively controlled due to the absence of natural predators that would control them in their natural habitat
Endemic Species: species which occur naturally in an ecological niche in an area
--> density-dependent factors usually naturally control and regulate the population six
Resource Competition between Endemic and Invasive Species
Nutria
Imported to France and Germany for their fur
--> escaped to Switzerland and lives along riversides
Destroys ecologically valuable wetland and marsh habitat by burrowing deep holes and creates economic costs through crop and plant diversity loss and damage to embankments and dams
Takes away liveable space of endemic species
Transmitter of parasites and bacteria to local species
Japanese Knotweed
Grow up to 3m high with a very extensive root network
Grows preferably close to riverbeds pushing back endemic plants that are better suited to the terrain
Grows between bricks and walls causing breakage and destruction
Destabilises soil
Box-tree Caterpillar
Young caterpillars eat parts of the chlorophyl
Older caterpillars can defoliate an entire plant in a short period of time
Himalayan Balsam
Produces very quickly and leads to a high density of plant growth
Leads to a resource competition with local plants along embankments and rivers
--> further reduces biodiversity and facilitate erosion
In forests it appears as pest, which reduces natural tree growth of local species