BIOL 1001 Study Guide - Final Guide: Population Ecology, Life Table, Invasive Species
Document Summary
Humans are breaking down many natural barriers to dispersal. New flu strains disperse all over the planet in matter of weeks or days, transported in respiratory passages of infected airplane passengers. Prior to invention of air travel, disease epidemics in humans were much more likely to be confined to relatively small geographic areas. Humans have transported thousands of plants, birds, insects, and other species across physical barriers to new locations- sometimes purposefully and sometimes by accident. If an exotic species-one that is not native-is introduced into new area, spreads quickly, and eliminates native species, it is said to be an invasive species. Exotic species- a non-native species that is introduced into new area. Exotic species often are competitors, pathogens, or predators of native species. Invasive species- an exotic(non-native) species that upon introduction to new area, spreads rapidly and competes successfully with native species.
