What makes invasive exotics harmful to the natural environment?
When exotic or non-native plants are introduced to a new location without the factors like severe seasonal weather, diseases, or insect pests that keep them under control in their native location or range, they can continue growing and reproducing, out-competing, and displacing the native plants. This also leads to disrupting naturally balanced native plant communities. This reduction in biodiversity can impact wildlife and indefinitely alter natural processes like water flow. As an example, Melaleuca trees introduced from Australia doubled their range in Florida from 1980-1990, ultimately covering over 500,000 acres of the Everglades.
