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Lucy Irons

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Are you concerned about the spread of invasive species?

Invasive species are non-native species that have a negative impact on their introduced environment. Invasive species are a huge issue not only due to their environmental impacts, but their economic ones as well. According to the National Invasive Species Information Center, there are currently about 50,000 invasive species in the United States alone that cost over $138 billion annually to manage. invasive species have a number of distinctive traits, including A general diet, large amounts of genetic variation, the ability to survive in a wide range of climates, a continuous breeding season, and the production of many offspring every year. What role do these versatile organisms have in a world where many species and ecosystems potentially lack the diversity required to survive rapid changes in their environment? Is it possible that, in the face of global climate change and biodiversity loss, invasive species can contribute something positive to biological systems?

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Topics: Population Ecology TEDinClassroom biodiversity climate change
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    Obey No1kinobe 50+

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    Mar 16 2012: Yes, humans seem to be invading everywhere.
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      Lucy Irons 50+

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      Mar 16 2012: I've always considered humans as sort of the ultimate invasive species. Not only have we spread far from our original range, but we tend to destroy biodiversity and ecosystems as we go. It's a cynical view, but I believe there is some truth to it.
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        Obey No1kinobe 50+

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        Mar 16 2012: totally agree.
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        Rishi Patel

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        Mar 16 2012: Aren't we as humans an invasive species? I know we don't meet the criteria as a one with short generations, but we make up for that in our ability to adapt through technology. We need to fuss with our environment in order to stay fit due to our long generations. While other species become more fit by evolutionary methods, we become more fit through fussing with the environment.

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