review · Nature Ecology & Evolution
Invasive alien species represent a severe and escalating risk to ecosystems and human communities worldwide. A comprehensive global review synthesises findings from over 13,000 scientific publications, reports across 15 languages, and Indigenous and local knowledge, covering all taxa, ecosystems, and geographic regions. This synthesis provides clear evidence of the drivers, trends, and wide-ranging impacts of biological invasions, as well as the governance and management hurdles involved in addressing them. Approved by 143 governments, the assessment demonstrates that while the ecological and societal threats are substantial, realistic and ambitious management approaches exist to control biological invasions. The findings underline that immediate international and local action is both vital and achievable to curb these escalating environmental pressures.
Invasive alien species damage natural environments, threaten biodiversity, and harm human livelihoods globally. By gathering vast international evidence and local knowledge, this work offers clear proof of the scale of the problem. It shows policymakers and communities that biological invasions are not insurmountable, providing a mandate for urgent, coordinated action to protect native ecosystems and resources.
The abstract does not indicate an application pathway or commercial readiness level for specific products or services, focusing instead on global assessment evidence and governance approaches for policymakers.
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Although invasive alien species have long been recognized as a major threat to nature and people, until now there has been no comprehensive global review of the status, trends, drivers, impacts, management and governance challenges of biological invasions. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Thematic Assessment Report on Invasive Alien Species and Their Control (hereafter 'IPBES invasive alien species assessment') drew on more than 13,000 scientific publications and reports in 15 languages as well as Indigenous and local knowledge on all taxa, ecosystems and regions across the globe. Therefore, it provides unequivocal evidence of the major and growing threat of invasive alien species alongside ambitious but realistic approaches to manage biological invasions. The extent of the threat and impacts has been recognized by the 143 member states of IPBES who approved the summary for policymakers of this assessment. Here, the authors of the IPBES assessment outline the main findings of the IPBES invasive alien species assessment and highlight the urgency to act now.
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DOI: 10.1038/s41559-024-02412-w
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