Invasive and Endemic Species

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