One of the most destructive problems in the Dunes is the introduction of exotic plants and animals. You may ask
yourself, “Self? What is an exotic plant or animal?” The word exotic means not native or not naturally belonging there. Is it
bad to have exotic creatures in the Dunes? The problem with the exotics is that they are taking over the habitats and
environment of the natural organisms. The exotic plants take over the spots in which the natural plants grow. The exotic
animals eat the food of the natural animals, leaving no food for the natural animals to eat. Here, you will learn about some
of the most invasive exotic in Lake Michigan and the Indiana Dunes.
But first, you may be asking yourself, How did all of these exotic plants and animals get here in the first place? The
answer to that question is usually, whether intentional or not, human introduction. Humans often bring in exotic
plants or animals via other animals, vehicles, ships, commercial goods, produce, and even clothes.
However, not all exotic introductions are harmful. Some species can get in without harming the ecosystem a bit, and
some can even help the ecosystem, but we are going to focus in on the ones that are harmful to the ecosystem. These
cause species to become rare, endangered, and in some cases, when spaces are confined (i.e. islands), they may even
become extinct.
Plants are a major problem because they take over the natural environment of the native plants. By doing this, there
is no place for the natural plants to live and reproduce.
Invasive animals are a problem because they take over the natural habitats of the native animals, leaving them no place to
live. They also eat the food of the natural creatures, disrupting the whole food chain.
So, what can you do to stop the spread of invasive species? Listed below are a few things you can do to stop the spread of invasive exotics.
