The number of
non-native plants and animals found in North America has risen dramatically
with the increase in travel and |
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Each
year non-native species cause millions of dollars of damage and problems
for individuals, governments, businesses and industries.
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Non-native plants and animals that get into the natural environment and begin to reproduce in large numbers can be a threat to native animals and plants in the environment. The most common reasons non-native species thrive in a new environment is because abundant food sources are available and they have few, if any, natural predators or parasites to moderate their growth. |
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One place to
find non-native species in North American today are in zoos or botanical
gardens. The animals and plants in  zoos
and gardens generally do not pose a threat to the local environment because
of their small numbers and the fact they are confined within small designated
area. It is often difficult for them to readily reproduce or get into
the surrounding environment. |
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 Asian Longhorne Beetle.  Mongoose  Loosestrife beetle |
Print to complete:
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non-native species plants animals local damage threat natural predator parasite native |
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commerce. These invasive species put ecological pressure on the native
species with which they compete for resources.
