g of animal and plant organisations is already out of balance, for example

existing populations colonising new habitat.

Out of all these classifications, class 4 is considered the most significant due to
consequent ecological impacts.
Causes

Overabundance may occur naturally, for example after weather events such as a
period of high rainfall[3] in which habitat conditions become optimal. However,
other contributing factors include:
Anthropogenic disturbances

Natural habitats are altered by human activity resulting in habitat fragmentation,

decrease in forest densities and wild fires.[4] Other human disturbances include
restrictions on hunting, agricultural land modification[5] and predator removal or
control within a region or area.[3][6] The consequent change in land use and the
presence or withdrawal of human influence can trigger a rapid increase in both
native and non-native species populations.[4]
Invasive species can be better adapted to specific environments

Invasive species are often overabundant as they outcompete native species for
resources such as food and shelter which allows their population to thrive.[7]
Other factors influencing population growth include the lack of native predators[8]
or the less common presence of the introduced species within native predator
habitat.[7]
Overabundance due to translocation of threatened species to protected areas

Some methods in managing threatened species involve reintroducing species to

enclosed reserves or island areas. Once these species are introduced, their
populations can become overabundant as these areas serve to protect the targeted
species against predators and competitors. This occurred for the Bettongia lesueur,
the burrowing bettong, which was reintroduced to the Arid Recovery reserve in
Australia: their population has increased from 30 to approximately 1532
individuals. Due to the damage within this reserve their population is considered
overabundant.[3]
See also: Conservation Biology
Potential impacts

Overabundant species can have an adverse impact on ecosystems. Within ecosystems

food resources and availability, competitors, and species composition can be
negatively impacted on.[2]
Impacts of overabundant herbivores
Australian Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)

A common impact from overabundant herbivores is vegetative damage by overgrazing,

where overgrazing refers to the effect of grazing having reached a level where
other biodiversity within the ecosystem becomes threatened. Overgrazing can occur
in both terrestrial and marine environments and can alter vegetation as well as the
composition of vegetation. Population densities and the composition of fauna can
also be negatively impacted on.[3] Additionally, permanent ecological damage can be
caused by overgrazing before maximum carrying capacity has been reached.[3]

Trophic relationships (i.e. feeding relationships in the ecosystem) can be altered

by overabundant species, potentially causing a trophic cascade. Trophic cascades
impact vegetation as well as invertebrates (including microorganisms) and birds.[6]
Furthermore, predator behaviour and populations may be indirectly affected.[9]
Impacts of overabundant predators

Overabundant predators are considered harmful to local biodiversity as they prey on

native species, compete for resources and can introduce disease. They can decrease
native mammal populations and, in some cases, can cause species to become extinct
which results in a cascading ecological impact. Examples of invasive species
include: �cats (Felis catus), rats (Rattus rattus), mongoose (Urva auropunctata),
stoats (Mustela erminea)�[8] and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Such species have
contributed to the extinction of approximately 58% of modern-day mammals, birds and
reptiles.[8]

In Australia, red foxes and feral cats have contributed to many native mammals
becoming threatened or extinct which has led to diminished vegetation as foraging
mammals have an important ecological role in maintaining a healthy landscape. A
particular example is where grassland vegetation diminished to shrub land as a
result of seabirds being preyed on by Arctic foxes. Seabirds have an essential
ecological role which consists of helping to maintain nutrient levels and soil
fertility.

�Invasive predators also threaten 596 species classed as "vulnerable