Which statement describes an invasive species?

Which statement describes an invasive species?

• A. Non-native organism out-competing native species, causing ecosystem destruction
• B. A native organism that coexists peacefully
• C. An organism that only affects a garden pest
• D. A species that improves soil fertility.

Answer: (A)

Invasive species are organisms that are introduced to a new environment where they can spread rapidly and cause harm, often by out-competing native species for resources and disrupting the ecosystem. The statement that best matches this idea is a non-native organism that out-competes native species and leads to ecosystem destruction, because it captures both the introduction to a new place and the resulting negative impact on biodiversity and habitat stability. Other options describe native organisms coexisting, or organisms that only affect a garden pest, or a species that improves soil fertility—none of which fit the idea of aggressively spreading in a new ecosystem and causing ecological disruption. Remember, not every non-native becomes invasive, but those that do cause noticeable harm by shifting resources and altering communities.

Invasive species are organisms that are introduced to a new environment where they can spread rapidly and cause harm, often by out-competing native species for resources and disrupting the ecosystem. The statement that best matches this idea is a non-native organism that out-competes native species and leads to ecosystem destruction, because it captures both the introduction to a new place and the resulting negative impact on biodiversity and habitat stability.

Other options describe native organisms coexisting, or organisms that only affect a garden pest, or a species that improves soil fertility—none of which fit the idea of aggressively spreading in a new ecosystem and causing ecological disruption. Remember, not every non-native becomes invasive, but those that do cause noticeable harm by shifting resources and altering communities.