Invasive species is a phrase with several definitions.

The first definition expresses the phrase in terms of non-indigenous species (e.g.

plants or animals) that adversely effect the habitats they invade economically, environmentally or ecologically.

It has been used in this sense by government organizations as well as conservation groups such as the IUCN.

The second definition broadens the boundaries to include both native and non-native species that heavily colonize a particular habitat. The third definition is an expansion of the first and defines an invasive species as a widespread non-indigenous species.

This last definition is arguably too broad as not all non-indigenous species necessarily have an adverse effect on their adopted environment.

An example of this broader use would include the claim that the common goldfish (Carassius auratus) is invasive.

True, it is common outside of its range globally but it almost never appears in harmful densities. Due to the ambiguity of its definition, the phrase - invasive species - is often criticized as an imprecise term within the field of ecology.

Scientists propose several mechanisms to explain invasive species, including: species-based mechanisms and ecosystem-based mechanisms, most likely, it is a combination of several mechanisms that cause an invasive situation to occur since most introduced plants and animals do not become invasive.

For more information about the topic Invasive species, read the full article at Wikipedia.org, or see the following related articles:

Weed — A weed is an unwanted plant. The notion of "wanted" is of course entirely in the eye of the beholder. A weed in one situation might be a wildflower ...  > read more

Introduced species — An introduced species (also known as an exotic species) is an organism that is not native to the place or area where it is considered introduced and ...  > read more

Ecological niche — In ecology, a niche is a term describing the relational position of a species or population in an ecosystem. More formally, the niche includes how a ...  > read more

Pest (animal) — A pest is an animal which has characteristics which people regard as injurious or unwanted. An example of serious pests are those organisms which ...  > read more

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