Invasive Species Glossary

noun a feral animal

adjective referring to an animal that is wild or untamed

• The biologist studied the behavior of feral cats in the urban environment.
• There are feral cats living in the alley behind the grocery store.
• I heard there's a feral party happening at the abandoned warehouse tonight.
• Her emotions felt feral, like a wild animal that couldn't be tamed.

adjective describing something that is full of or covered with weeds

• The garden was overrun with weedy plants that needed to be pulled out.
• I can't believe how weedy the backyard has gotten, we really need to do some yard work.
• That vacant lot is looking pretty weedy, it's like a jungle out there.
• His mind felt weedy with all the distracting thoughts running through it.

noun a species that has been brought to a new location outside of its native range, often by human activities

• The introduction of non-native species into an ecosystem can have detrimental effects on the native wildlife.
• Bringing in species from outside can mess up the balance of the ecosystem.
• Introducing new species into the mix can really throw things off.
• Like a bull in a china shop, introduced species can wreak havoc on the delicate ecosystem.

noun a plant or animal that has been introduced to a new place or environment

adjective relating to or arriving from an external source or place; not native

• The adventive species is causing concern among ecologists.
• I heard there's a new adventive plant species in the park.
• That adventive bug is so annoying!
• The adventive idea sparked a revolution in the industry.