Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

AIS or aquatic invasive species are non-native plants  animals that were either accidentally or purposefully brought from other  regions of the world and over populate or take over an area due to that  lack of their usual competitors that would keep their populations in  check. Aquatic seeds/plant fragments were first introduced into our  waterways most often by hitchhiking in the bilges of large ships, spread  by water birds or people who wanted them in their ponds or aquariums  but later dumped them.
Invasive species harm the ecosystem by out  competing natives for food, sun and space. Many native plants provide  food and shelter for insects and animals disrupting the food chain and  reducing biological diversity. They can also cause issues for recreation  and the general aesthetics of a water body.