Last December's massive Tsunami may also have spread invasive alien wildlife to other countries where they could pose a threat to the local ecosystem. Red Nova reports that the mesquite shrub and prickly pears may have been spread into Sri Lanka because of the tsunami.
Nearly six months after the disaster that killed more than 31,000 people in Sri Lanka, studies have found that the tsunami waves have pushed seeds of so-called alien invasive species from their coasts farther inland on the tropical island, the United Nations Environment Program said.
"In some areas, including important national parks, the wave has encouraged the spread of alien invasive species, such as prickly pears and salt-tolerant mesquite," the agency said in a statement.
