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“Of the 7,000 estimated non-native species present in North America, approximately 1,000 are
invasive” (Simberloff, 2013). It is clear that some non-native species do a lot of damage to their new non-
native environment however it is also important to note that many, and in the previous example “6,000”, are
actually partly beneficial to the non-native ecosystem. Therefore, research must be conducted to ensure that
only the harmful non-native species are eradicated rather than all non-native species. Invasive alien species
are so complex that in order to ensure their own survival in their new environment they often modify this
habitat to support life that will sustain its own survival, of which is often other non-native species. Some
direct and indirect impacts of IAS include transmission of harmful pathogens and competition for food and
other resources (Simberloff, 2013).
“Among Peru's total of 389 threatened species are 120 amphibians, 122 birds, 23 invertebrates, 92
mammals and 32 reptiles” (“Hundreds of Species of Wildlife in Peru Face Extinction Risk”, 2018). Birds and
amphibians are the most threatened in Peru because they are more subject to harm from climate change,
environmental pollution, and any harmful changes to their limited range of habitat. Included in these threats
are also airborne and land pollution, deforestation, habitat destruction, illegal animal trafficking and poaching,
and invasive alien species (“Hundreds of Species of Wildlife in Peru Face Extinction Risk”, 2018).
Tourists and tourism organizations often intentionally introduce non-native species via planting non-
native species in hotel gardens and killing off plants and other organisms to make space for tourist comforts
such as jungle lodges and ski terrains (Simpson, 2015). “While tourism is not the main way that invasive
species spread, it is one of the only pathways introducing them to remote parts of the world, such as oceanic
islands and the poles” (Simpson, D., 2015). Moreover, it is still the only way in which non-native species are
introduced to remote biodiverse hotspots such as Lake Titicaca of Peru, the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador, and
other secluded islands (Simpson, 2015).
Tourism has both positive and negative effects on biodiversity. Its positive effect is the revenue stream
it provides, some of which is used to repair damage to biodiversity, specifically monitor and remove non-
native species (Simpson, 2015). However, tourism also serves to damage some of the world's most vulnerable
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