https://www.123articleonline.com/rss/author/326586/larry-rainboltArticles written by Larry Rainbolt from 123ArticleOnline.comen-usCopyright (c) 123ArticleOnline.com All rights reserved. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1288129/what-does-ecology-have-to-do-with-me Ecology also provides information about the benefits of ecosystems and how we can use Earth's resources in ways that leave the environment healthy for future generations. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1270069/who-are-ecologists An image of Kudzu covered trees in Atlanta Georgia, USA Some non-native species (plants, animals, microbes, and fungi not originally from a given area) threaten our forests, croplands, lakes, and other ecosystems. Introduced species, such as the kudzu vine shown here, do this by competing with plants and animals that were originally there, often damaging the environment in the process. For example, the gypsy moth, a native of Europe and Asia, wreaks havoc on great swaths of forest lands by defoliating, or eating the leaves off of trees. At first, highly toxic chemicals, which also poisoned other animals, were the only methods available to control this introduced pest. By targeting vulnerable stages in the moths' life cycle, ecologists devised less toxic approaches to control their numbers.