Which statement best defines an invasive species?

Which statement best defines an invasive species?

• A. Native species that stabilize an ecosystem
• B. A non-native organism that benefits native species
• C. Non-native organism out-competing native species, causing ecosystem destruction
• D. A species found only in one location

Answer: (C)

An invasive species is a non-native organism that enters a new area and spreads widely, often out-competing native species for resources and causing harm to the ecosystem—such as reduced biodiversity and disrupted habitats or food webs. The statement that best defines an invasive species describes a non-native organism that out-competes native species and leads to ecosystem destruction, which captures both the introduction to a new environment and the resulting negative impact. Native species stabilizing an ecosystem describes usual, healthy interactions within a habitat. A non-native organism that benefits native species would be a positive or neutral interaction rather than an invasive threat. A species found only in one location refers to endemism, not invasion.

An invasive species is a non-native organism that enters a new area and spreads widely, often out-competing native species for resources and causing harm to the ecosystem—such as reduced biodiversity and disrupted habitats or food webs. The statement that best defines an invasive species describes a non-native organism that out-competes native species and leads to ecosystem destruction, which captures both the introduction to a new environment and the resulting negative impact.

Native species stabilizing an ecosystem describes usual, healthy interactions within a habitat. A non-native organism that benefits native species would be a positive or neutral interaction rather than an invasive threat. A species found only in one location refers to endemism, not invasion.