Invasive species

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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 affect 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 (International Union for Conservation of Nature).

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. Although it is common outside its range globally, it almost never appears in harmful densities.

Because of the ambiguity of its definition, the phrase invasive species is often criticized as an imprecise term within the field of ecology. This article concerns the first two definitions; for the third, see introduced species.

For more information about Invasive species, read the full article at Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.


News tagged with invasive plants


Phragmites partners with microbes to plot native plants' demise

Biology / Ecology

created Dec 23, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

University of Delaware researchers have uncovered a novel means of conquest employed by the common reed, Phragmites australis, which ranks as one of the world's most invasive plants.


Researchers learn why invasive plants are spreading rapidly in forests

Researchers learn why invasive plants are spreading rapidly in forests

Biology / Ecology

created Dec 10, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Invasive plants are advancing into Eastern forests at an alarming rate, and the rapid spread has been linked by researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences to forest road ...





Search results for invasive plants


Hot Water Treatment Eliminates Rhizoctonia from Azalea Cuttings

Hot Water Treatment Eliminates Rhizoctonia from Azalea Cuttings

Biology / Ecology

created Dec 24, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Rhizoctonia, a fungal disease that can be found in many ornamental plants, can be eliminated in azalea by placing plant cuttings in a hot water treatment, an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) ...


New materials designed to deal with hypersonic and supersonic hot stuff (w/ Video)

New materials designed to deal with hypersonic and supersonic hot stuff (w/ Video)

Physics / Condensed Matter

created Dec 24, 2009 | popularity 4.2 / 5 (12) | comments 6

University of Queensland researchers are testing new materials to withstand the extreme heat experienced by hypersonic vehicles in flight so they can fly for substantially longer.


Scientists show that plants have measure of the shortest day

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Dec 23, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 1

(PhysOrg.com) -- It is not only people who feel the effects of short winter days - new research by the University of Edinburgh and the University of Warwick has shed light on how plants calculate their own winter solstice. ...


Alzheimer's disease may protect against cancer and vice versa

Medicine & Health / Diseases

created Dec 23, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

People who have Alzheimer's disease may be less likely to develop cancer, and people who have cancer may be less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study published in the December 23, 2009, online issue ...


Knockdown of E2F1 reduces invasive potential of melanoma cells

Medicine & Health / Cancer

created Dec 23, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Inhibition of transcription factor E2F1 reduced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and reduced the invasive potential but not proliferation of metastatic melanoma cells, according to a brief communication ...


Scientists map speed of climate change

Space & Earth / Environment

created Dec 23, 2009 | popularity 2.8 / 5 (28) | comments 29

New study finds that the average ecosystem will need to shift about a quarter mile per year to keep pace with global climate change.


Whiskers hold secrets of invasive minks

Biology / Ecology

created Dec 23, 2009 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Details of the lifestyle of mink, which escaped from fur farms and now live wild in the UK, have been revealed through analysis of their whiskers. Research led by the University of Exeter reveals more about the diet of this ...


Novel nanotechnology heals abscesses caused by resistant staph bacteria

Novel nanotechnology heals abscesses caused by resistant staph bacteria

Nanotechnology / Bio & Medicine

created Dec 22, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have developed a new approach for treating and healing skin abscesses caused by bacteria resistant to most antibiotics. The study ...


Study sheds light on microscopic flower petal ridges

Study sheds light on microscopic flower petal ridges

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Dec 22, 2009 | popularity 4.3 / 5 (3) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Microscopic ridges contouring the surface of flower petals might play a role in flashing that come-hither look pollinating insects can't resist. Michigan State University scientists and colleagues ...


Physiologic factors linked to image quality of multidetector computed tomography scans

Medicine & Health / Research

created Dec 22, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

A large multicenter international trial found that the image quality of multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) scans, used for the noninvasive detection of coronary artery disease, can be significantly affected by patient ...



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