Scientists' warning on invasive alien species

Abstract

ABSTRACT Biological invasions are a global consequence of an increasingly connected world and the rise in human population size. The numbers of invasive alien species – the subset of alien species that spread widely in areas where they are not native, affecting the environment or human livelihoods – are increasing. Synergies with other global changes are exacerbating current invasions and facilitating new ones, thereby escalating the extent and impacts of invaders. Invasions have complex and often immense long‐term direct and indirect impacts. In many cases, such impacts become apparent or problematic only when invaders are well established and have large ranges. Invasive alien species break down biogeographic realms, affect native species richness and abundance, increase the risk of native species extinction, affect the genetic composition of native populations, change native animal behaviour, alter phylogenetic diversity across communities, and modify trophic networks. Many invasive alien species also change ecosystem functioning and the delivery of ecosystem services by altering nutrient and contaminant cycling, hydrology, habitat structure, and disturbance regimes. These biodiversity and ecosystem impacts are accelerating and will increase further in the future. Scientific evidence has identified policy strategies to reduce future invasions, but these strategies are often insufficiently implemented. For some nations, notably Australia and New Zealand, biosecurity has become a national priority. There have been long‐term successes, such as eradication of rats and cats on increasingly large islands and biological control of weeds across continental areas. However, in many countries, invasions receive little attention. Improved international cooperation is crucial to reduce the impacts of invasive alien species on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human livelihoods. Countries can strengthen their biosecurity regulations to implement and enforce more effective management strategies that should also address other global changes that interact with invasions.

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Affiliated Institutions

• Zoological Society of London GB
• Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale IT
• Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries DE
• South African National Parks ZA
• Universidad de Sevilla ES
• Berlin Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research DE
• Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity CL
• Northern Research Station US
• University College London GB
• University of Toronto CA
• University of Tennessee at Knoxville US
• Mystic Seaport US
• Williams College US
• US Forest Service US
• German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research DE
• UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology GB
• University of Vienna AT
• Stellenbosch University ZA
• Freie Universität Berlin DE
• University of Rhode Island US
• Taizhou University CN
• Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg DE
• University of Concepción CL
• Charles University CZ
• University of Pretoria ZA
• Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre DE
• Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Botany CZ
• University of Fribourg CH
• Lincoln University NZ
• Czech University of Life Sciences Prague CZ
• Estación Biológica de Doñana ES
• Durham University GB

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