Monitoring trends in biological invasion, its impact and policy responses

Piero Genovesi, Stuart H M Butchart, Melodie McGeoch, David B Roy

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (Book)Researchpeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Biological invasions are a major threat to biodiversity, second only to habitat change, and have been a primary cause of species extinction over the last 500 years. For example, invasive alien species are cited as a factor in over 50% of animal extinctions where the cause is known, and for 1 out of every 5 (20%) of extinctions, invasions were the only cited cause. Invasive alien species (IAS) are also among the most important threats to globally threatened species. Invasives are the second most important threat to birds, impacting 52% of Critically Endangered species and 51% of all threatened species. They are the fourth most important threat to threatened amphibians (possibly even underestimated owing to uncertainty over the origin of chytridiomycosis), and third most important for threatened mammals. Furthermore, invasions cause huge economic losses – e.g. costs in Europe exceed 12 billion euros per year – they are responsible for the spread of many diseases, and can disrupt ecosystem services of crucial importance for human well-being, such as food security and access to water.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBiodiversity Monitoring and Conservation
Subtitle of host publicationBridging the Gap between Global Commitment and Local Action
EditorsBen Collen, Nathalie Pettorelli, Jonathan E M Baillie, Sarah M Durant
Place of PublicationChichester UK
PublisherJohn Wiley & Sons
Chapter7
Pages138-158
Number of pages21
Edition1
ISBN (Electronic)9781118490747
ISBN (Print)9781444332926, 9781444332919
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameConservation Science and Practice Series
PublisherWiley-Blackwell and the Zoological Society of London

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