The Effects Of Foreign Species Introduction On An Ecosystem :: essays research papers

The Effects of Foreign Species Introduction On An EcosystemThe effects of immaterial species gate into an ecosystem are veryprofound. From small microorganisms to species of large mammals, many abroadspecies introductions occur every day. New implications of their introductionare found alone as often.When a immaterial species is introduced into an ecosystem, often theecosystem contains no natural predators for the juvenile species. This lack ofpredators sometimes leads to in conjunction with a supply of feed for thought suitable forthe new species, a period of exponential maturation of the species. This growth andsevere increase in the size of the population can yard a shortage of food fornative species. When this occurs, the native species disappear and thebiodiversity in the ecosystem is reduced. The carrying capacity is also reducedbecause the ecosystem will not be able-bodied of supporting the same amount of life.If one species hogs the food and does not throw itsel f to the food chain,the balance is disrupted and there will be less(prenominal) available for the native species.Once the new species has found its ecological receding however, balance begins torestore itself.When the biodiversity in the ecosystem is reduced, the ability of theecosystem to grow, or the biotic potential, is as well reduced. More speciesresiding in an ecosystem which depend on each new(prenominal) allows for a greater chanceof survival and perpetuation. This may occur for some(prenominal) reasons, for example abee and a flower. The bee requires the pollen of the flower to make its honey.However, while multitude the pollen from the flowers, it transfers some of thepollen to female flowers, allowing them to make seeds and spawn furthergenerations. However, a foreign species may, for example, eat the beestherefore allowing for decreased fecundity of the flowers.Another implication of the introduction of foreign species into anecosystem is the potential for toxins to be spread up the species chain isincreased. For example, in ports all over the world, ships empty their ballasttanks containing large amounts of sea water, often laced with organisms notnaturally found in their new region. The zebra mussel provides food for acertain type of fish, and also contains several toxins because it is a slabberfeeder. The level of toxins in the fish due to the biological amplification ishigh. scarce if and when a new type of fish are introduced, which eats zebramussels and provides a more preferred food for the fish which formerly ate themussels, a new level of biological amplification is inserted.