Which of the following best describes an invasive species?
A) An invasive species is any non-native introduced species, whether it becomes established or not.
B) Non-native species become invasive when they become established in a new area, taking over niches that were already occupied by native species.
C) Dispersal, even if anthropogenic, is a normal biogeographic process and, therefore, no cause of alarm.
D) Approximately 90% of all introduced non-native species become invasive species.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An invasive species is a non-native species that has become established in a new area, where it spreads rapidly and displaces or outcompetes native species by occupying their niches. This can have harmful ecological and economic impacts. Option A is incorrect because just being non-native does not necessarily make a species invasive. Option C is incorrect because although dispersal is a natural process, human activities have accelerated the rate of introductions and spread of invasive species. Option D is incorrect because the percentage of introduced species that become invasive varies depending on many factors, including the species and the environment.

Which of the Following Best Describes an Invasive Species