Invasive Exotic Species

Often, when a plant or animal that is not native to a habitat is introduced, disastrous results can happen. A non-native species can become "invasive" and grow and spread quickly--taking over and choking out the native plants and animals. This can cause changes in the environment by taking away food supplies of other plant and animal life.

Two examples are the pretty purple flower known as loosestrife and zebra mussels. Zebra mussels have become a problem in Kentucky waterways where they have taken resources away from the native mussels and clams. Zebra mussels cluster at intake pipes of water and energy plants, causing problems there.

Loosestrife

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