Living Environment Regents Practice Test

What is a major characteristic of invasive species?

1. They provide essential nutrients to native species

2. They have a negative effect on native ecosystems

3. They maintain biodiversity in ecosystems

4. They are always beneficial to the environment

The correct answer is: They have a negative effect on native ecosystems

A major characteristic of invasive species is that they have a negative effect on native ecosystems. Invasive species often outcompete native species for resources such as food, space, and light. This can lead to a decline in native populations and disrupt the balance of the ecosystem. Invasive species may also introduce diseases, alter habitats, and change nutrient cycling, further exacerbating their negative impact. As a result, their presence typically diminishes biodiversity and the overall health of the ecosystem. In contrast, the other options suggest beneficial or neutral roles of invasive species, which do not accurately reflect the typical outcomes associated with their introduction into new environments. Invasive species are generally not seen as providing essential nutrients or maintaining biodiversity, and they are rarely entirely beneficial to the environment, indicating their primary role as disruptors rather than facilitators within ecosystems.