Invasive Species

Burmese Python:

Pythons were first introduced in the Everglades environment through careless snake keepers. Pythons compete with native wildlife for food, which includes mammals, birds, and other reptiles. Severe mammal declines in Everglades National Park have been linked to Burmese pythons. Raccoons and opossums often forage for food near the water's edge, which is a habitat frequented by pythons in search of prey. Pythons have nearly destroyed the Everglades ecosystem.

Lion fish:

Lion fish consume great quantities of fishes and invertebrates and cause harmful ecological impacts if their numbers go unchecked. Lionfish will target and consume herbivorous fish that graze on algae. If we lose these important algae grazers, this will cause algae to overgrow coral reefs and reduce habitat for corals and sponges. They also reduce native fish populations. Lion fish don't have many predators, so they have the chance to easily reproduce, destroying more coral reefs.

Cane toads:

When these dangerous toads bite, they secrete a toxic substance which can cause harm. Dogs are the most frequent victims, but they can suffer seizures when exposed to the toxins. These toads will eat many native species, as they lower populations. These amphibians will eat anything from native frogs, insects, and fish. Cane toads are also attracted to pet food.

Feral hogs:

Feral hogs can maintain sizable populations even though they're a very popular target for game in hunting. While these hogs mostly eat plants, their habit of rooting under the ground can cause considerable damage to many native ecosystems. These hogs are very aggresive and dangerous, as they can easily outweigh a human by a several hundred pounds.

Invasive species are easily capable of causing the extinctions of many native plant and animal species by reducing biodiversity, competing with native organisms for limited resources, and altering habitats. This can result in huge economic impacts and fundamental disruptions of many ecosystems around the globe. To prevent this, scientists release predators and even kill these invasive species in order to maintain a balance in biodiversity to keep our precious ecosystems alive. We should help protect our ecosystems from invasive species because a healthy ecosystems clean our water, purify our air, maintain our soil, regulate the climate, recycle nutrients, and provide us with food. And also they are known to provide raw materials and resources for medicines and other purposes.

Keystone species:

The American Alligator is a major keystone species in the Everglades ecosystem. Alligators are the apex predator in the Everglades and they keep other invasive and overpopulating species at balance. And also Alligators dig holes and leave trails throughout marshes, they create habitats for fish and marine invertebrates.