Alien species
Alien species
Alien species (pronunciation: /ˈeɪliən ˈspiːʃiːz/) is a term used in the field of Biology and Ecology to refer to organisms that are introduced into regions outside of their native range. The etymology of the term "alien species" is derived from the Latin word "alienus" meaning "foreign" or "strange" and the Latin word "species" meaning "kind" or "sort".
Definition
An alien species is a species introduced outside its normal distribution. Invasive alien species are those which become established in natural or semi-natural ecosystems or habitat, are an agent of change, and threaten native biological diversity.
Impact
The impact of alien species can be severe for the native biodiversity and ecosystem services. They can cause economic damage, impact human health, and disrupt biodiversity conservation efforts.
Related Terms
- Invasive species: A species that is non-native to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.
- Endemic species: Species that are native to a particular area and are found only in that geographic area.
- Exotic species: Another term for alien species, often used interchangeably.
- Native species: Species that have naturally evolved in an area or have been there for a long period of time.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Alien species
- Wikipedia's article - Alien species
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