INVASIVE SPECIES AND THEIR ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE CHALLENGES FOR CONSERVATION IN BRAZIL

Abstract

Invasive species represent a significant threat to global biodiversity, with pronounced impacts in Brazil due to its biological richness and intense anthropogenic pressure. This study analyzes the ecological impacts of these species and the challenges they pose to conservation within the national territory, justified by the urgency to understand and mitigate this systemic threat. The main objective is to examine pathways of introduction, impacts on native ecosystems, and gaps in management strategies. A qualitative approach with a systematic review of recent scientific literature is adopted. The findings demonstrate that habitat fragmentation facilitates the establishment of invaders, which cause competition, predation, and alteration of ecological processes, while governance appears reactive and fragmented. It concludes that the effectiveness of conservation depends on integrated, proactive, and prevention-based governance, articulating science, public policy, and society to protect Brazil's natural heritage against this persistent threat.