Invasive Species: Statement Analysis

This question asks us to evaluate two statements about invasive species and determine their accuracy.

Statement-I Analysis: Invasive Species Competition

Statement-I claims that invasive species can outcompete native species. Let's break this down:

• Invasive Species Definition: An invasive species is a non-native organism that spreads aggressively and causes ecological or economic harm.
• Competition Mechanism: Invasive species often possess traits that give them an advantage in their new environment. These can include rapid growth rates, high reproductive capacity, lack of natural predators, or resistance to diseases.
• Impact on Natives: Because of these advantages, invasive species can consume essential resources like food, water, sunlight, and space more effectively than native species. This intense competition can lead to the decline or displacement of native populations.
• Conclusion: Therefore, Statement-I, stating that invasive species can outcompete native species, is ecologically accurate.

Statement-II Analysis: Harm Caused by Invasive Species

Statement-II asserts that invasive species are always harmful to ecosystems. We need to examine the word "always":

• General Harm: It's true that many invasive species cause significant harm. They can disrupt food webs, alter habitats, reduce biodiversity, and negatively impact native wildlife and plants. Examples include the zebra mussel in the Great Lakes or kudzu vine in the southeastern United States.
• The "Always" Qualifier: However, the term "always" implies universality, meaning every single invasive species causes harm. This is an oversimplification. While the potential for harm is high, and most do cause measurable damage, there might be exceptions. Some introduced species might have minimal impact, fail to establish populations, or occupy ecological niches without causing significant disruption.
• Ecological Nuance: Ecology often involves complex interactions, and absolute statements can be misleading. The definition of "harmful" can also be debated depending on the context and scale.
• Conclusion: Because of the absolute nature of the word "always," Statement-II is considered incorrect. Not every single invasive species is definitively harmful to its new ecosystem, even if most are.

Final Conclusion

Based on the analysis:

• Statement-I is correct: Invasive species frequently outcompete native species due to advantageous traits.
• Statement-II is incorrect: The claim that invasive species are *always* harmful is too absolute and doesn't account for potential exceptions or varying degrees of impact.

Therefore, the correct option is the one stating that Statement-I is correct and Statement-II is incorrect.