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Intermediate · 3 min

Distinguish presence from harmful spread

A nonnative species occurs outside its native range through human involvement. Not every nonnative species is invasive. The term invasive is used for nonnative species whose establishment and spread cause or are likely to cause harm in the setting considered. Identify the species, location, and evidence of impacts rather than assuming that every newly observed organism meets that description.

Practice

What should be checked before describing a nonnative species as invasive?