Risks posed by invasive species to the provision of ecosystem services in Europe

Risks posed by invasive species to the provision of ecosystem services in Europe

10 April 2024 | Belinda Gallardo, Sven Bacher, Ana Marcia Barbosa, Laure Gallien, Pablo González-Moreno, Victor Martínez-Bolea, Cascade Sorte, Giovanni Vimercati, Montserrat Vilà
This study assesses the current and potential future risks posed by 94 invasive species to seven key ecosystem services in Europe. The research highlights widespread potential impacts, particularly on outdoor recreation, habitat maintenance, crop provisioning, and soil and nitrogen retention. Areas with lower ecosystem service provision, especially for regulating and cultural services, are more exposed to invasive species. Notably, regions vital for ecosystem services currently have low invasion suitability but face an average 77% increase in potential invasion area. The study emphasizes the importance of monitoring and protecting these hotspots to align management strategies with international biodiversity targets, considering both invasion vulnerability and ecosystem service sustainability. The findings provide insights into the spatial distribution of invasive species risks and can inform policy decisions regarding invasive species management and biodiversity conservation efforts.This study assesses the current and potential future risks posed by 94 invasive species to seven key ecosystem services in Europe. The research highlights widespread potential impacts, particularly on outdoor recreation, habitat maintenance, crop provisioning, and soil and nitrogen retention. Areas with lower ecosystem service provision, especially for regulating and cultural services, are more exposed to invasive species. Notably, regions vital for ecosystem services currently have low invasion suitability but face an average 77% increase in potential invasion area. The study emphasizes the importance of monitoring and protecting these hotspots to align management strategies with international biodiversity targets, considering both invasion vulnerability and ecosystem service sustainability. The findings provide insights into the spatial distribution of invasive species risks and can inform policy decisions regarding invasive species management and biodiversity conservation efforts.
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