invasive species

New research warns that global sea-level rise will create a new biological invasion front, as advancing saltwater allows non-native marine and coastal species to move into previously inaccessible habitats. Scientists say shifting shorelines could let invasive species establish in estuaries, wetlands and low-lying areas, with consequences for native biodiversity and coastal ecosystems. The finding adds to concerns about how climate change reshapes species distributions worldwide.

Rising sea levels are helping invasive marine species spread into new coastal areas, according to coverage of new research findings. Warmer waters and shifting currents are allowing non-native organisms to establish themselves in ecosystems where they were previously unable to survive, raising concerns among biologists about damage to native species and local fisheries.

A Florida district has begun using robotic rabbits to help control the growing population of Burmese pythons, an invasive species that has devastated local wildlife in the Everglades region. The mechanical decoys mimic the warmth and movement of real rabbits to draw the snakes out of hiding so they can be captured. The unusual tactic has drawn widespread attention as an example of creative technology being used in conservation and ecosystem protection.