Invasive species pose threat to one-sixth of global land: study

One-sixth of the global land surface is highly vulnerable to the invasion of alien species, including substantial areas in developing economies and biodiversity hotspots, according to a study published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications.

In this study, an international team of researchers analyzed the terrestrial threat from invasive alien species (IAS) in light of 21st century globalization and environmental change, and evaluated national capacities to prevent and manage species invasions.

They find that many countries have limited capacity to act against invasions of non-native species. The ways of invasion differ between high-income countries and low-income countries, with the former mainly through imports and the latter through air travel.

Developing countries, which are not well-prepared for the invasion, are faced with increasing threats from invading non-native plants, animals and microbes, as air travel becomes more frequent and local agriculture expands, according to the study.

Livelihoods and food security in these fragile economies might be affected, said the researchers.

Once the IAS arrive in a new region and released into the wild, they can be a serious threat to native species, which have adapted to the local ecosystem through evolution over the course of thousands of years. There is a great possibility that IAS can become the dominant force in local environment and out-compete native organisms for resources and habitat.

Researchers have, therefore, urged more international cooperation in tackling IAS issues, saying the United States, Australia and European nations should share their expertise in this area. Enditem