Invasive species are non-native plants, animals and other living organisms that thrive in areas where they don’t naturally live and cause (or are likely to cause) economic or environmental harm, or harm to human, animal or plant health. Invasive species degrade, change or displace native habitats, compete with native wildlife, and are major threats to biodiversity.

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Invasive species cause tremendous harm to our environment, economy and health. When invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species eat or crowd out native species, they reduce the vital biological variety we call biodiversity. Ecosystems with low biodiversity are more vulnerable to disease and other environmental stresses. 

At worst, invasive species can lead to the extinction of native species. Invasive species also can spread disease and inflict costly damage on infrastructure, such as roads, canals and levees.

In ways large and small, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works to prevent, eradicate and control invasive species, using environmentally sensitive approaches. 

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Priorities for Restoring U.S. Islands Through Invasive Species Management
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Priorities for Restoring U.S. Islands Through Invasive Species Management

Islands host a disproportionate share of the world’s biodiversity relative to their total area. Islands are also particularly vulnerable to loss of that biodiversity from anthropogenic threats, in particular, invasive species. The introduction of invasive species usually results in direct and...

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