Invasive species are non-native organisms that establish self-sustaining populations and spread beyond their initial introduction sites, causing or likely to cause significant ecological, economic, or health impacts. Research on invasive species examines pathways of introduction, propagule pressure, life-history traits that facilitate invasion (e.g., high reproductive rate, broad ecological tolerance), and interactions with native communities, including competition, predation, hybridization, and pathogen transmission. The topic also encompasses invasion stages (transport, introduction, establishment, spread), invasion ecology theory (e.g., enemy release, biotic resistance), risk assessment, and management strategies such as prevention, early detection, rapid response, and long-term control or eradication.
A study analyzing over 500,000 tweets from 2006 to 2021 found that public discourse on invasive species heavily favors charismatic animals over ecologically harmful plants.
Plants & Animals
Oct 27, 2025
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64
A new study shows for the first time that biological invasions don't change ecosystems in a single, uniform way. Some impacts, most notably losses of native plant diversity caused by invasive plant species, are persistent ...
Plants & Animals
Oct 23, 2025
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46
Exotic marsh frogs from distant lands are colonizing the south-east of the Netherlands. This has been demonstrated by biology students from Leiden University faculty. Although the amphibians thrive in the little country, ...
Plants & Animals
Oct 22, 2025
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23
As the world becomes more interconnected, some plants have benefited from a greater ease in movement from one region to another, while some have become problematic. Some introduced species gain a competitive edge, spreading ...
Plants & Animals
Oct 20, 2025
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17
That vibrant carpet of pink and yellow flowers blanketing Mediterranean cliffs might look beautiful in holiday photos on a social media feed. But scientists have discovered these same Instagram snapshots are revealing how ...
Plants & Animals
Oct 15, 2025
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31
On islands, many plants rely on animals such as birds, bats and reptiles to disperse their seeds and help them grow in new places. When native animals go extinct, this naturally reduces seed dispersal.
Plants & Animals
Oct 8, 2025
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145
Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are vectors of multiple diseases including dengue, chikungunya and Zika, posing a public health risk to populations within their native range.
Plants & Animals
Oct 1, 2025
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24
A dangerous parasite once eliminated in the United States has been detected in northern Mexico, close to the U.S. border.
Ecology
Sep 26, 2025
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59
Grape phylloxera, or Daktulosphaira vitifoliae, is an aphidlike insect that attacks grapevines with devastating effects. In Colorado, where wine is an estimated US$3.9 billion dollar industry, phylloxera poses a significant ...
Agriculture
Sep 24, 2025
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19
An unwelcome guest has arrived in Texas and, if left unchecked, could pose challenges to the state's agricultural industry.
Ecology
Sep 23, 2025
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22
