How do weeds (non-native, invasive plants) decrease biodiversity?
Thick growths of non-native weeds can displace the native plants that once provided food and shelter for native animals. As weed populations rise, native species populations may fall. The worst weeds can even change the character of the habitat by changing processes like nutrient cycling, flooding, and soil profile development. The worst weeds may alter natural ecosystem processes and impact or halt native species recruitment.
