I have found some interesting information about invasive species and how they effect the environment. While it is well known that invasive species are harmful to the ecosystem they inhabit, we have only recently discovered that not all invasive species actually are harmful. Tomás Carlo, an assistant professor of biology at Penn State University, and Jason Gleditsch, a graduate student in the Department of Biology, have been researching whether or not invasive fruit bearing plants are helpful to the environment.

They researched the Honeysuckle plant, which I had no idea was invasive, and found that the amount of honeysuckle could accurately predict the number and diversity of birds within and even beyond the region. It seems as if the Honeysuckle plant and different Bird Species’ have formed a mutualistic relationship.

“”The abundance of fruit-eating birds in the Happy Valley region is linked to the abundance of honeysuckle,” Carlo explained. “Honeysuckle comprises more than half of all the fruits available in the landscape, and it benefits birds by providing them with a source of food in the fall. Meanwhile, birds benefit honeysuckle by dispersing the plant’s seeds across a wider geographical area, helping the species to occupy more and more territory in areas already affected by human activities.”

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110211095555.htm