Invasive species spread due to human activities, often unintentionally such as through fast travel and trade enabling species to hitchhike. Ships unknowingly transport aquatic organisms in their ballast water, while smaller boats can carry them on their propellers. Insects spread through wood, shipping pallets, and crates used for transporting goods internationally. Some ornamental plants, once released into the wild, become invasive. and pets released into the wild can also take root in new places. For example, Burmese pythons, once pets, are now causing big problems in the Everglades. Additionally, climate change is adding more complications by changing the temperatures, and climatic and weather patterns allowing invasive species to expand like garlic mustard and kudzu, pests like the mountain pine beetle, to thrive in new environments, taking advantage of weakened native species.

We can identify invasive species through the manual monitoring method which is the most widely method used currently. However, the inefficiency in the method  due to hindrances of factors like plant growth and inaccessible terrain has made us find alternative technological advancements. Some of these developments include Hyperspectral remote sensing which uses special cameras to capture detailed images of plants, identifying them based on their unique colors and patterns, DNA Testing which analyzes the genetic material of organisms to confirm their identity, like a genetic fingerprint, Aerial Surveys which uses aircraft or drones to take pictures of large areas, spotting invasive species from above and Modeling which uses computer simulations to predict the spread of invasive species in the environment. 

Prevention is better than cure! Hence, the first step to solving the issue of invasive species in any affected area is to prevent it from further growth and immediately remove it after identification. Alongside, we should work on implementing strict biosecurity protocols to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species, and conduct careful monitoring of transportation routes, cargo, and trade, spread public awareness to educate communities about the risks associated with invasive species and help them avoid the release of exotic pets into the wild.

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