Invasive species often lead to what type of competition?

Invasive species typically lead to interspecific competition among different species. When invasive species are introduced to a new environment, they may compete for the same resources, such as food, space, and light, that native species rely on. This can overwhelm the native populations because invasive species often have advantages, such as faster growth rates, higher reproductive rates, and fewer natural predators in their new environment. As a result, the presence of invasive species can result in declines or even extinction of native species due to this competition.

In contrast, intraspecific competition occurs within the same species and is less associated with the impact of invasive species, as it refers to competition among individuals of the same species for limited resources. Additionally, while reduced variety of native species can be a consequence of the competitive pressures from invasive species, it is more a result of the competitive dynamics in the ecosystem rather than the type of competition itself. Therefore, focusing on interspecific competition gives a clearer understanding of the direct interactions that occur when invasive species are present in an ecosystem.