Question

onsider a scenario where a native plant population is growing at it's carrying capacity in a community. The seed of an invasive species is brought in by a squirrel, which then germinates, grows and reproduces resulting in the establishment a population of this invasive plant species. The invasive species has very similar niche as the native plant species. How do you predict the invasive plant population to be affected by the presence of this native species

Answer 1

The given question is incomplete, the complete question is:

Consider a scenario where a native plant population is growing at it's carrying capacity in a community. The seed of an invasive species is brought in by a squirrel, which then germinates, grows and reproduces resulting in the establishment a population of this invasive plant species. The invasive species has very similar niche as the native plant species. How do you predict the native plant population to be affected by the presence of this invasive species?

The invasive species fitness will be limited by the native plant species

The native plant carrying capacity will go down, relative to that prior to the invasive species arrival

There will be no change to the native plant population

The invasive species will grow unchecked and exponentially

No listed answer is correct

Answer:

The correct statement is the fourth one, that is, the invasive species will grow exponentially and unchecked.

Explanation:

The fitness of the invasive species will not get restricted by the native species. Though the opposite takes place as the original niche of the local species does not possess the natural predator for the invasive species. Therefore, invasive species emerge fitter and reproduce exponentially without population control.

The carrying capacity of the native species will not go down before the arrival of the invasive species, however, will go down post its arrival.  

As the invasive species has no natural predators, one can witness a substantial reduction in the population of the local plant population. The invasive species will utilize the niche of the local plant, therefore, resulting in the reduction of the native species population, as they have share habitat, food resources, and other natural resources.  

It is correct that the invasive species will grow without any control. An outbreak of invasive species generally takes place due to the absence of its natural predators in the ecosystem at the time of its introduction. Hence, the correct statement is the fourth one.