Responding to the challenge, the United Nations is today releasing the first global assessment of invasive alien species and their control.
In 2019, IPBES released a global biodiversity assessment that placed invasive alien species in the top five drivers of biodiversity loss - alongside changing land- and sea-use, over-exploitation of natural resources, climate change, and pollution.
In particular, one of the targets in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework is to "Eliminate, minimise, reduce and/or mitigate the impacts of invasive alien species on biodiversity and ecosystem services".
Globally, we observe around 200 new alien species every year, and many of these species have negative impacts, including threats to native species, the health of natural vegetation, or the way ecosystems work.
The assessment reveals that invasive alien species have contributed to 60% of global extinctions, and have been the sole driver of 16% of recorded extinctions.
These sectors are highly susceptible to threats from invasive alien species.
Despite strong biosecurity measures, highly engaged primary industries agricultural industries, excellent research infrastructure and a high level of public awareness, invasive alien species continue to slip through our borders and multiply.
https://www.csiro.au/en/news/All/News/2023/September/Expert-Commentary-Invasive-Alien-Species
https://www.csiro.au/en/news/All/Articles/2023/September/true-damage-of-invasive-alien-species
https://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/why-australia-is-on-the-front-line-of-a-global-war-on-invasive-species-20230904-p5e1pk.html
- Australia has the second-largest number of endemic species in the world.
- The cost of managing invasive species in Australia has increased significantly over the years.
- Feral cats, foxes, and other invasive species are a priority for the Australian government.
- A United Nations biodiversity report found that there are over 37,000 invasive species worldwide.
- Factors such as trade and travel, climate change, and habitat clearing contribute to the spread of invasive species.
https://phys.org/news/2023-09-opinion-true-invasive-alien-species.html
Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand have among the highest modern global native species extinction rates.
The cost of biological invasions is quadrupling every decade, but stringent biosecurity policies and practices can protect our environment and economies.
Prevention will not stop arrivals altogether.
Despite strong biosecurity measures, highly engaged primary industries agricultural industries, excellent research infrastructure and a high level of public awareness, invasive alien species continue to slip through our borders and multiply.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/life/science/environment/2023/09/04/invasive-alien-species-destruction-nature/
Australia’s unique environment is under relentless attack by unwanted aliens and climate change is about to supercharge the threat, top scientists warn.
It’s estimated human activity has introduced more than 37,000 alien species to regions and biomes where they don’t belong, a figure that’s rising at an unprecedented rate and fuelling an extraordinary loss of biodiversity as they prey on and crowd out native species.
In fact, 1200 local extinctions can be put down to about 218 invaders.
Global economic costs have been conservatively estimated at more than $423 billion a year.
Andy Sheppard, another co-ordinating lead author and the chief research scientist at the CSIRO, says the stand out message is that prevention is far cheaper than having to deal with invasions.
"You have to be prepared and you have to be able to respond quickly.”
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/04/invasive-species-no-1-driver-of-biodiversity-loss-in-australia-and-feral-cats-have-biggest-impact-report-finds
Advocates are calling for an urgent and coordinated national response to the threat of invasive species after the co-authors of a major international report identified it as the leading driver of biodiversity loss in Australia.
"In Australia, invasive species are the number one driver of biodiversity loss," said report co-author Prof Phill Cassey of the University of Adelaide in a press briefing.
Australia has lost more native mammal species than any other continent, with more than 100 species listed as either extinct or extinct in the wild.
Research published earlier this year by the Invasive Species Council found there has been an average of 4.5 probable extinctions a decade since the 1960s, with around three extinctions a decade mainly attributable to invasive species.
In August last year, Australia launched a national biosecurity strategy to combat the risk posed by invasive species to biodiversity, but experts say more coordinated legislation between jurisdictions is required.
Lyall Grieve, conservation and biosecurity analyst for the Invasive Species Council, said in a statement: "This report makes it clear that the Albanese government's commitment to 'no new extinctions' will be no more than a slogan without increased focus and funding needed to prevent the next wave of invasive species."Invasive species are likely to be a primary driver of 85% of the next round of predicted vertebrate extinctions over the next 20 years," Grieve said.
"That's why tackling feral cats, foxes and other invasives is a priority for the Albanese government. It's one of the core goals of our threatened species action plan supported by our $224.5m saving native species fund and $1.1bn National Heritage Trust," she said.