Non-native species that can harm the environment by taking over or changing ecosystems are called what?

• A. Endemic Species
• B. Native Species
• C. Invasive Species
• D. Introduced Species

Answer: (C)

Invasive species are non-native organisms that arrive in a new area and spread rapidly, outcompeting native species and often changing habitats or ecosystem processes. This combination of arrival, rapid spread, and ecological impact is what makes them invasive rather than just introduced. By comparison, endemic species are native to a very specific place, native species occur naturally in a region, and introduced species are non-native organisms that arrive somewhere new but may not cause harm or become dominant. Examples like zebra mussels in freshwater systems show how invasives can disrupt food webs and water quality, illustrating why this term specifically targets those non-native species that harm ecosystems.