Ignorance

Sometimes, species cross over to a new environment unintentionally. This happens without the knowledge of the person responsible for carrying the invasive species. Species can cling on or sneak onto boats, trains, or even on boots, following the human ‘carrier’ to the new destination. This happens because people seldomly clean their vehicle or equipment when they travel from place to place. One famous example of this can be found in New Zealand, where they are trying to stop the spread of Didymo or ‘rock snot’. Didymo looks like mud, and as people travel through lakes in their boats or walk through swamps in their boots, they unknowingly collect Didymo on their equipment. And as they travel throughout other parts of New Zealand, they bring the Didymo along with them. Becuase of this, Didymo which only used to be found in southern New Zealand can now be found in most parts.

Didymo; ‘rock snot’:

didymo

image from: www.fish.state.pa.us

In Singapore, there also cases of unintentional introducing of species. Native to Singapore waters, is the Asian Mussel. But as large ships come and go, some of the Asian Mussel enter the ship and are transported to different parts of the word, such as California and Auckland.

Asian Mussel:

Green mussel

Image from: donaldandcathy.typepad.com