Explain how an introduced species may effect an ecosystem. What are effects when a species become extinct?

Answer 1

INTRODUCED SPECIES
Most introduced species don't make it in their new environments. There are a few documented cases of an introduced species "benefiting" the ecosystem by increasing nitrogen production to the system or promoting diversity by reducing predation pressure on a particular trophic group. However, most successful introduced species alter the community or ecosystem physically or biologically. A good example are introduced clams to estuaries; some of these suspension feeders remove much more phytoplankton and nutrients than the native counterparts they replaced. This changes the trophic structure by reducing the primary producers from the system. They can also alter the physical structure of the environment by replacing (i.e. causing the local extinction of) natives. Think about the difference in having tall, sparse trees versus short, dense ones.

SPECIES EXTINCTION
There are many possibilities and depends on the species' ecological role and how they interact with other organisms in the community. Many examples have been discussed by other posters.

Answer 2

All the organisms in an ecosystem interact with one another in an either direct or indirect way.
Introducing a new species can cause a pretty big change in the adaptations of many species.
For example, the introduced species might eat the same food as a species already living there. This'll create more competition for resources.
When a species in an ecosystem becomes extinct, alot of turmoil is caused since every organism is part of a food web.

Answer 3

well this new introduced spieces could be non native or non native invasive(plants or animals).Which can over take out endemic native plants such as mellaluca in the everglades and hydrilla in local lakes. When a speices becomes extinct no matter where it lies in the trophic stucture it could do different types of harm. Such as if a keystone predator becomes extinct or taken away from an ecosystem the whole equillibrium collapses if a keystone prey is gone again the whole ecosystem collapses. Basically if could depend how strong taht speices is to an ecosystem.

Answer 4

When rabbits were introduced to Australia, they had no natural predators. They overran the whole country with their prolific breeding and ate everything in sight. Their introduction was a disaster.

Most of the time when a species becomes extinct, it simply fades away. But, sometimes that can cause a great change too. In the U.S. wolves were virtually eliminated because they ate domestic livestock. But, now with no wolves, many places are overrun with deer which cause many, many car accidents and spread diseases like Lyme's disease.