Ecosystem of the Everglades Radically Altered by Burmese Pythons (ContributorNetwork)

Florida Today warns that Burmese pythons, an invasive species to the ecosystem of the Everglades, have upset the natural balance of the habitat. Several native species have been almost wiped out.

Some animals almost eradicated, others rarely sighted anymore

Recorded sightings of raccoons have decreased by 99 percent; also impacted are opossums (sightings are down by more than 98 percent) and white-tailed deer (94 percent). There are no longer any sightings of foxes or marsh rabbits. Science Daily outlines that Burmese pythons found in Florida's Everglades National Park are growing large enough to take on alligators, deer and bobcats. The latter experienced a reduction in population size of 87.5 percent.

Ecosystem of the Everglades not the only area threatened by invasive species

Invasive species have become world travelers. Case in point is the Chinese mitten crab, which is a burrowing crab native to Asian estuaries. BBC News reported in 2006 the Chinese mitten crab had established itself in the U.K.'s major waterways, in part by preying on protected native crab species. Release of these crabs was accidental; they came along via ships' ballast tank water.

In some cases, invasive species were introduced for specific reasons. A good example for this practice is the cane toad. The University of Florida explains this amphibian was released into ecosystems to naturally protect sugar cane crops against pest damage. The experiment went awry and the cane toad moved quickly into central Florida and connected areas. It secretes a toxin that is lethal to some wild animals. Florida officials publish detailed instructions for the at-home euthanasia of these pests.

New Zealand is experiencing the long-term effects of one invasive species seeking to oust another. The University of Canterbury discovered that honey bees, which were introduced in the early 1900s, are adversely affected by wasps, which entered the beech forest ecosystem in 1945. By the end of the 1980s, the desirable honey bee numbers declined because of growing wasp populations.

Putting the genie back into the bottle

Cleaning up an invaded ecosystem is the common solution. With respect to the Everglades' Burmese pythons, it is unclear how successful the measures will be, especially considering the near extinction of native species that took place since the snakes' introduction to the area.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/environment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20120131/us_ac/10909283_ecosystem_of_the_everglades_radically_altered_by_burmese_pythons

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