Virginia's Invasive Species Problem

Virginia's Invasive Species Problem.

Invasive species are a great threat to Virginia’s ecosystem. These non-native species cause lots of damage and harm to our ecosystem. There are multiple problems today, in Virginia, that are caused by invasive species. However, there are also multiple solutions to stop this threat, and in this essay I’m going to talk about both. First, to explain the problems and solutions of invasive species, I’m going to explain what the invasive species are. According to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, “an invasive species is a type of organism that is not native to a specific location and has a tendency to spread, which is believed to cause damage to the environment, human economy, or human health. …show more content…
It can also cause extinction of the native species. They also bring massive economic losses in sectors like agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. For example, the Lanternfly is an invasive species and can be found in Virginia. The Lanternfly causes the reduction in grapes, peaches, hops, and more. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, “invasive species cause a giant economic impact. The U.S. government had to pay roughly $120 billion annually for loss of crops, damages to the timberlands, and management expenses”. These expenses were all caused by invasive species. If it were Virginia alone, the expenses would cost more than $1 billion a year. Another problem caused by invasive species is ecological disruption. Claimed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, invasive species can devastate native plants, disrupt the natural balance to the food chain, and alter habitats. Invasive species can also harm humans. Most invasive species are poisonous, which could be a big cause of most human illnesses. The spread of diseases like West Nile virus highlights their impact. There are many problems caused by invasive species, and that is terrible for our small state, Virginia. There are many problems caused by invasive

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