Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
5. The long-term sustainability of ecosystems is threatened when invasive species alter fundamental ecological processes and lead to the degradation of natural habitats. Analyse. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Down to Earth , Insights on India
Why the question:
The introduction of exotic invasive plants disrupts this coevolutionary balance and native ungulates lose out since they do not have mechanisms to address the novel toxins in the ecosystem.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the threats posed by invasive alien species and ways to tackle their spread.
Directive word:
Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by explaining the term invasive alien species.
Body:
First, Explain the various threats posed by them. Provide examples and present the scenario of harm posed by invasive species in India – threaten cultivable land and wildlife habitats alike, may lead to the conversion of marshy wetlands into dry land. E.g.: water hyacinth, spread into the forests through the corridors created by landslides, affect the soil and destroy the microhabitat of that area
Next, Write about the various government policies and programmes in this direction.
Conclusion:
Conclude with solutions to address the issue.
