5. Invasive alien species

Invasive alien species are direct driver number 5 of global impacts

They should not be here …

… but they are. Invasive amphibians, plants, insects, fishes, fungi or bacteria that are not native to an ecosystem spread aggressively and cause harm to the environment, human economy and human health.

Facts

  • Spreading fast: Invasive alien species have risen by 70% since 1970, across 21 countries with detailed records.
  • Cause: Invasive species are primarily spread by human activities (travel, shipping, climate change).
  • Global problem: 20% of the Earth’s surface is at risk of plant and animal invasions, impacting native species, ecosystem functions and nature’s contributions to people.