Invasive Species in Washington State

Abstract

This research aims to study the rate of advancement of invasive species that have made their way into the state of Washington and their harmful effects on the ecosystem.

The climate of the state of Washington is temperate, which is primarily caused by the Pacific Ocean. The ecosystem is marked by mountain ranges such as the cascades, which harbor dense forests all the way to coastal lowlands. Due to the relatively wet climate of the Pacific Northwest, the ecosystem is home to a diverse amount of Flora and Fauna, fostering growth around coastal areas as well as the creation and continuation of estuaries and rivers.

The state of Washington faces multiple challenges such as habitat degradation, climate change, and the elimination of indigenous species. One of the major causes of these challenges is the increasing presence of multiple invasive species over the last few decades.

Invasive species can drastically change the dynamics of the ecosystem by outcompeting native species for essential resources. This can have an adverse effect on biodiversity leading to not only an ecological imbalance but also incurring significant economic costs. The presence of invasive species can impact sectors like agriculture, forestry, fisheries etc. The effect of invasive species often can result in diseases impacting human health. It is therefore crucial to study the impact of invasive species so that we can understand what steps we can take to safeguard biodiversity, human health, and the economy from their impact.