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What are the effects of invasive species on native habitats?

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Invasive species can have various detrimental effects on native habitats, including:

Competition: Invasive species often outcompete native species for resources such as food, water, and habitat, leading to a decline in native populations.

Predation: Some invasive species can prey on native species, causing declines or even extinctions within native populations.

Habitat alteration: Invasive species can alter the physical structure of habitats, changing the availability of resources and potentially making the habitat unsuitable for native species.

Hybridization: Invasive species may hybridize with native species, leading to genetic pollution and loss of genetic diversity within native populations.

Disease transmission: Invasive species can introduce new diseases to native populations, which may have devastating effects on species with no prior immunity.

Overall, invasive species pose a significant threat to biodiversity and ecosystem stability by disrupting natural ecological processes and interactions.

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