CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION

INDIAN SCHOOL IBRI

BIOLOGY INVESTIGATORY PROJECT ON
TOPIC: “INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF
INVASIVE SPECIES ON NATIVE ECOSYSTEM”

Name: Uns Ahmed

Class: XII
Roll no.:
 INDIAN SCHOOL IBRI

Cer ficate

This is to certify that

Master/Miss ______________________________________of class XII

has carried out the project work in

Biology
as per the syllabus prescribed by the

Central Board of Secondary Education

in the year 2024-25.

Date: _________

[SEAL]
_____________ _____________
Internal Examiner External Examiner
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
In the accomplishment of this project successfully, many people
have bestowed upon me their blessings. I am u lizing this opportunity to
thank all the people who have helped me a lot in finalizing this project
within the deadline,
Primarily I would thank God for being able to complete this project
with success. Then I would like to express my sincere gra tude to my
biology teacher, Mrs. Aneena Poozhikuth Chalukulangara, for her
unwavering support, guidance and encouragement without which this
project would not have come to frui on. Her sugges ons and
instruc ons served as the major contributor towards the comple on of
this project.
I would like to extend my gra tude to my beloved principal, Mr. VS
Suresh, for giving me this golden opportunity to do this inves gatory
project on the topic "Inves ga ng the impact of invasive species on
na ve ecosystem".
I am also very grateful to my parents for inspiring me to work hard
ll this day. Their valuable insights have played a major role in the
successful accomplishment of my inves gatory project.
Last but not the least, I would like to thank all my teachers,
classmates and well-wishers who believed in me and always wished well
for me.
 INDEX
Sno. Title Page
1. Introduc on 1
2. Why some species are unwelcomed? 2
3. Impact of invasive alien species 3
4. Invasive species’ impact on Indian 5
biodiversity
5. Curious cases of accidental invasive 6
species
6. Conclusion 11
7. Bibliography 12
 INTRODUCTION
An invasive species is an introduced species that harms its new
environment. Invasive species adversely affect habitats and bioregions,
causing ecological, environmental, and/or economic damage. The term
can also be used for na ve species that become harmful to their na ve
environment a er human altera ons to its food web. Since the 20th
century, invasive species have become serious economic, social, and
environmental threats worldwide.
Invasion of long-established ecosystems by organisms is a natural
phenomenon, but human-facilitated introduc ons have greatly
increased the rate, scale, and geographic range of invasion. For millennia,
humans have served as both accidental and deliberate dispersal agents,
beginning with their earliest migra ons, accelera ng in the Age of
Discovery, and accelera ng again with interna onal trade. Notably
invasive plant species include the kudzu vine, giant hogweed, Japanese
knotweed, and yellow starthistle. Notably invasive animals
include European rabbits, domes c cats, and carp.

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 WHY SOME SPECIES ARE UNWELCOMED?
IUCN, the World Conserva on Union, states that the impacts of
alien invasive species are immense, insidious, and usually irreversible.
They may be as damaging to na ve species and ecosystems on a global
scale as the loss and degrada on of habitats.
Hundreds of ex nc ons have been caused by invasive alien species.
The ecological cost is the irretrievable loss of na ve species and
ecosystems.
For example, the mongoose threatens endemic species on tropical
cane-growing islands. They have caused the popula on demise or
ex nc on of many endemic vertebrates, and con nue to cause livestock
damage while posing a disease risk. European red foxes introduced into
Australia and temperate regions of North America have nega ve impacts
on many na ve species, including smaller canids and ground nes ng
birds in North America, and many small and medium-sized rodent and
marsupial species in Australia.
Growing global trade and communica on are directly contribu ng
to the mixing of wildlife across biogeographical boundaries.
Species that appear in new environments may fail to survive but
o en they thrive, and become invasive. In fact, na ve species are likely
to be unprepared to defend themselves against the invaders. This
process, together with habitat destruc on, has been a major cause of
ex nc on of na ve species throughout the world in the past few
hundred years.
Biologists are inves ga ng how these "invaders" succeed in
establishing themselves in new environments, so that they can be
controlled and eradicated where necessary.

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 IMPACTS OF INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES
The introduc on of invasive or non-na ve species can have
significant and detrimental impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, and
even human ac vi es. They are as follows:
Ecological Impacts
 Invasive species outcompete na ve species, which leads to
a decline in their popula on and even species ex nc on.
 Invasive plants may alter soil composi on, nutrient cycling, and
fire regimes, making it difficult for na ve vegeta on to survive.
 Their introduc on can disrupt food webs, change predator-prey
rela onships, and alter the flow of energy within an ecosystem.
o For example, Cane toads’ skin is lathed with harmful
bacteria, harming na ve predators that a empt to eat them.
Economic Impacts
 Invasive species can damage crops, trees, and livestock, leading
to food insecurity and decreased income for rural communi es.
 Some invasive species, like termites or rodents, can damage
infrastructure like roads and bridges, cos ng millions in repairs
and maintenance.
o For example, Zebra mussels a ach to surfaces such as pipes
or boat hulls, causing damage to infrastructure.
Health Impacts
 Invasive species can act as vectors for diseases like West Nile virus
or Lyme disease.

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 o For example, the Giant African land snail has become a pest
in agriculture, which poses a risk of transmi ng diseases to
humans.
 These can pollute water bodies, which, in turn, causes myriad
health impacts.
Cultural and Recrea onal Impacts
 Invasive plants may alter the aesthe cs of landscapes, impac ng
recrea onal experiences. This, in turn, affects the tourism sector
and hence local economies that rely on this sector.

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 INVASIVE SPECIES’ IMPACT ON INDIAN
BIODIVERSITY
In the lush tapestry of India’s diverse ecosystems, a silent invasion
puts the delicate balance of the country’s na ve wildlife and plants at
incredible risk. Even in our daily lives, we unknowingly witness the
conquest of invasive plant species, their tendrils reaching into every
corner, disrup ng the existence of indigenous plants.
For decades, invasive plant species have threatened India’s rich
biodiversity. Not only are they able to outcompete na ve species for
resources, disrupt ecosystems and alter habitats, but they can also
spread diseases and can even be toxic to wildlife.
Invasive plants are o en more than a match for na ve species when
it comes to figh ng for light, water and nutrients. This can cause the
decline or even ex nc on of na ve plants. For instance, the lantana
camara is a major threat to India’s indigenous Acacia nilo ca tree. This is
an important tree for wildlife, as it provides food and shelter for a variety
of animals. However, Lantana camara is able to outrival it for resources,
and it can also shade out the tree, preven ng it from ge ng enough
sunlight to grow.

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 CURIOUS CASES OF ACCIDENTAL INVASIVE
SPECIES
The uninten onal introduc on of invasive species has had far-
reaching consequences for ecosystems worldwide. Whether through
human ac vi es, global trade, or unintended transport, these invaders
have rapidly established themselves in new habitats, o en outcompe ng
na ve species and causing significant ecological disrup ons.

ZEBRA MUSSELS-THE GREAT LAKES (US)

Zebra mussels, na ve to the Caspian and Black Seas, were uninten onally
introduced to the Great Lakes in the 1980s, likely through ballast water
discharged by cargo ships. These small, striped mollusks have since
proliferated, impac ng the ecosystem in mul ple ways. They a ach to
surfaces such as rocks and pipes, causing damage to infrastructure, and
filter large amounts of plankton, disrup ng the food chain. The zebra
mussels' rapid spread and ability to outcompete na ve species have led
to significant ecological changes in the Great Lakes, posing challenges for
conserva on and management.

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SHIP RATS AND FERAL CATS-NEW ZEALAND
The accidental introduc on of ship rats and feral cats to New Zealand has
had devasta ng effects on na ve bird species, including the cri cally
endangered kakapo. Ship rats, stowaways on European ships, prey upon
kakapo eggs, chicks, and even adults. Feral cats, introduced by European
se lers, further compound the threats to the kakapo popula on. The
combined preda on pressure from rats and cats has pushed the kakapo,
a flightless parrot, to the brink of ex nc on. Ongoing conserva on
efforts involve predator control, habitat restora on, and intensive
management to protect and restore kakapo popula ons and ensure the
survival of this unique species.

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ASIAN LONGHORNED BEETLE-UNITED STATES
The accidental arrival of the Asian longhorned beetle in the United States
can be traced back to wooden packing materials used in shipping crates.
This destruc ve beetle, na ve to China and Korea, was first detected in
New York City in 1996. With a penchant for hardwood trees, the Asian
longhorned beetle poses a serious threat to forests across the country.
Its larvae bore into tree trunks, causing extensive damage that weakens
and ul mately kills host trees. Intensive eradica on efforts, including tree
removal, quaran nes, and public awareness campaigns, are undertaken
to prevent the spread of this invasive beetle and protect valuable
ecosystems.

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CANE TOAD-AUSTRALIA
Originally introduced to Australia in the 1930s as a biocontrol measure
for sugar cane pests, the cane toad has become an ecological nightmare.
The toads, na ve to South and Central America, quickly spread beyond
their intended habitat and are now a pervasive invasive species. Their
toxic skin secre ons, which protect them from predators, pose a serious
threat to na ve wildlife. Indigenous predators and even curious domes c
pets that encounter cane toads can suffer severe illness or death. The
toads' rapid expansion and impacts on na ve species have highlighted
the importance of rigorous biosecurity measures and research to manage
their presence.

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BROWN TREESNAKE-GUAM
The accidental introduc on of the brown treesnake to Guam during
World War II is a classic example of an invasive species wreaking havoc
on na ve biodiversity. The snakes, likely stowaways on military vessels,
rapidly mul plied in the absence of natural predators on the island. Their
preda on on na ve bird species, such as the flightless Guam rail, caused
drama c popula on declines and local ex nc ons. The loss of these
na ve birds has led to cascading effects throughout the ecosystem. Snake
removal programs, refuge areas, and public educa on campaigns have
been implemented to mi gate the snake's impact, but the ba le against
this invasive species con nues.

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 CONCLUSION
Invasive species are a serious threat to the environment, economy,
and human health. They can cause significant damage to natural
ecosystems, agriculture, and infrastructure. Invasive species are not
na ve to the area they inhabit and can quickly outcompete na ve species
for resources, leading to a decline in biodiversity. They can also introduce
new diseases and pests, further impac ng the environment. Control and
management of invasive species are crucial to mi ga ng their nega ve
impacts. This can involve preven on, early detec on, and eradica on
efforts. Educa on and awareness are also essen al to prevent the
introduc on and spread of invasive species.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY
Websites referred:
 www.google.com
 www.wikipedia.com
 www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov
 wildlifewoods.net

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