Global indicators of the environmental impacts of invasive alien species and their information adequacy

Marie V. Henriksen (Corresponding author), Eduardo Arlé, Arman Pili, David A. Clarke, Emili García-Berthou, Quentin Groom, Bernd Lenzner, Carsten Meyer, Hanno Seebens, Reid Tingley, Marten Winter, Melodie A. McGeoch

Publications: Contribution to journalArticlePeer Reviewed

Abstract

Monitoring the extent to which invasive alien species (IAS) negatively impact the environment is crucial for understanding and mitigating biological invasions. Indeed, such information is vital for achieving Target 6 of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. However, to-date indicators for tracking the environmental impacts of IAS have been either lacking or insufficient. Capitalizing on advances in data availability and impact assessment protocols, we developed environmental impact indicators to track realized and potential impacts of IAS. We also developed an information status indicator to assess the adequacy of the data underlying the impact indicators. We used data on 75 naturalized amphibians from 82 countries to demonstrate the indicators at a global scale. The information status indicator shows variation in the reliability of the data and highlights areas where absence of impact should be interpreted with caution. Impact indicators show that growth in potential impacts are dominated by predatory species, while potential impacts from both predation and disease transmission are distributed worldwide. Using open access data, the indicators are reproducible and adaptable across scales and taxa and can be used to assess global trends and distributions of IAS, assisting authorities in prioritizing control efforts and identifying areas at risk of future invasions. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Ecological novelty and planetary stewardship: biodiversity dynamics in a transforming biosphere’.

Original languageEnglish
Article number20230323
JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Volume379
Issue number1902
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 27 May 2024

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 106003 Biodiversity research

Keywords

  • biological invasions
  • ecological niche modelling
  • impact evidence
  • impact mechanisms
  • indicator uncertainty
  • knowledge gaps

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