Invasive Species The world is under attack; by aliens from our planet. These aliens are known as invasive species. Government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have identified invasive species as living organisms that are not native to an ecosystem and their introduction can cause damage to the environment, infrastructure and people. When these creatures are in their natural ecosystem they can be kept in check by predators and other organisms that have evolved to deal with them. Without these adversaries, invasive species can and will cause economic and biological damage to the area into which they are introduced. Invasive species can affect anyone and anything and must be stopped. A rigorous invasive species management program is needed to stop them. Invasive species are a widespread problem throughout the world. Some of the most famous invasive species in the United States are the Emerald Ash Borer, the Asian Carp, and the African Bee. Invasive species cause extreme damage to wildlife and the economy. It is estimated that the Emerald Ash Borer will cost the United States $10.7 billion by 2019 (Kovacs et al, 2010). A textbook example of an invasive species is the brown tree snake on the island of Guam. It has driven ten of the twelve native forest bird species to extinction. With few predators, they have an estimated population density of over 3,000 snakes per square mile (University of Washington 2008). Like other invasive species, the problems caused by the brown tree snake don't stop there. They often cause power outages on the island after they crawl over power lines. Cost In the United States ...... half of the paper ...... the threat of invasive species without the help of a rigorous invasive species management program. Invasive species cause severe ecosystem damage by competing for the same food sources as native species, including prey animals. Invasive plants also damage the ecosystem by blocking the growth of native plants. Many efforts have been made to prevent invasive species from harming the Everglades, such as the inclusion of large constrictor snakes in the Lacey Act and the creation of the Python Patrol. However, these measures are not enough because they are reactionary. The most effective way to combat invasive species is to prevent them from entering the country in the first place. This way they will never get close to areas that they could damage. To truly stop invasive species, government legislation must reflect this. Invasive species represent a threat that can be eliminated.