How Exotic Animal Species Harm Ecosystems

Globalization is causing interactions between different parts of the world, which occasionally involves the—accidental or intentional—introduction of animal species in other regions. These so-called exotic species can significantly impact biodiversity by changing the structure and functioning of native natural ecosystems. Exotic animal species, such as rabbits, parrots, and long-tailed macaques, affect native plant species by changing seed dispersal and mutual dependencies between plants and animals. This can lead to reduced seed diversity and reduced survival chances for plant species. Also, exotic animal species can affect seed quality by harming seeds or removing essential nutrients, affecting their ability to grow into plants.