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Invasive alien species (IAS) are a growing global concern, further exacerbated by Climate change. These species, displaced from their original habitats, lead Loss of biodiversity and poses a significant threat to ecosystems around the world. NOW, Climate change East acting as a catalystaccelerating their spread and impact.
Here we highlight ten IAS whose destructive impact is intensified by Climate change:
1. Florida Sargassum:
Rising ocean temperatures and increased nutrients due to climate change triggered “flowers” of this Atlantic algae. These massive gatherings are detrimental, causing marine eutrophication, which can lead to oxygen-deprived “dead zones” where most Marine life cannot survive. When washed ashore, the decomposition of these blooms produces hydrogen sulfide, which poses health risks to people. coastal communities.
2. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes):
This plant, native to the Amazon basin, is an aggressive colonizer of bodies of fresh water. Climate changeWarmer temperatures induced by global warming are accelerating its already rapid growth rate, allowing it to double its population in less than two weeks. The resulting dense mats impede water flow, blocking sunlight and oxygen, disrupting aquatic ecosystems and negatively affecting fishing and water transport.
3. Lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles)
Warmer ocean temperatures caused by Climate change facilitate the spread of these Indo-Pacific invaders in the Atlantic. Their voracious predation and rapid reproduction – attributes intensified by higher water temperatures – combined with a lack of natural predators, greatly reduce biodiversity and change the balance of coral reef and other marine ecosystems.
4. Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus)
This insect, vector of diseases such as dengue and Zika virusis expanding its geographic range and breeding season due to Climate change-induced warmer temperatures and an increase precipitation. The expansion of this mosquito constitutes a growing threat to public health.
5. Bark beetles
Bark beetlesresponsible for the death of billions of trees, are increasingly surviving mild winters, a symptom of Climate change. Larger populations of these beetles lead to larger infestations, leading to widespread forest mortality which also increases the risk of forest fires and disrupt the habitats of countless forest-dependent species.
Source: TED-Ed/YouTube
6. Kudzu (Pueraria Montana)
This vine, originating from Asiagrows more rapidly in warmer temperatures induced by Climate change. It chokes out trees and shrubs, leading to a reduction in biodiversity by crowding out native plants for light and nutrients. Kudzu also damages buildings and power lines, causing significant economic costs.
7. Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci)
Epidemics of this type coral-eating starfishclimate driven change-induced ocean warming and nutrient runoff, decimate coral reefs in the Peaceful and Indian Oceans. Reefs provide essential habitat for many marine species and are a source of income for local communities, making the impact of starfish particularly devastating.
8. Argentine ant (Linepithema humile)
This invasive ant, which drives out native ant species and disrupts ecosystems, is expanding into previously cold regions as global temperatures rise. Their proliferation reduces local biodiversity and can have a negative impact on soil health and nutrient cycling.
9. Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha)
THE rising water temperature and a reduction in predation linked to Climate change allow these freshwater molluscs to thrive. They form dense colonies on hard surfaces, damaging infrastructure such as water treatment and outcompete native species for food and habitat, with far-reaching consequences for freshwater ecosystems.
10. Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
This flowering plant, native to Europe and Asia, thrives in the warmer, more humid conditions created by climate change. It forms dense stands that crowd out native wetland vegetation, thereby reducing biodiversity and degrading wetland wildlife habitats.
The importance of the question
These invasive species, reinforced by Climate change, have an impact on the environment and society in general. They have economic consequences due to damaged infrastructure and commercial losses, and lead to loss of biodiversity by crowding out native species.
Addressing the double IAS crisis And Climate change calls for policy changes and international cooperation. It is crucial to integrate HAI management into Climate change answers. Each of us can help by staying informed, reporting potential IAS blooms, and taking steps to limit their spread. Let’s join hands to safeguard our biodiversity against this growing threat.
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There is Only One Green Planet by Tiny Rescue: Climate Collection
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