Alien invasion: Study reveals alarming economic costs of biological
invasions to the European Union
Massive costs estimated to soar to more than EUR142.73 billion (US $150 billion) by 2040 in the absence of effective management

Date:
July 13, 2023
Source:
McGill University
Summary:
Biological invasions are a major threat to ecosystems, biodiversity,
and human well-being, resulting in ecosystem degradation and causing
economic costs in the multi-trillions of euros globally. A study
sheds light on the stark economic cost resulting from biological
invasions in the European Union (EU).


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FULL STORY ========================================================================== Biological invasions are a major threat to ecosystems, biodiversity,
and human well-being, resulting in ecosystem degradation and causing
economic costs in the multi-trillions of euros globally. A study led by
McGill University sheds light on the stark economic cost resulting from biological invasions in the European Union (EU).

The European Union continues to be exposed to thousands of invasive
alien species -- harmful species introduced by humans from outside of
their natural habitat. The EU is particularly vulnerable because the
region's volume of economic activity via trade and the transportation
of goods increases the risks of biological invasions, according to the
study published in Environmental Sciences Europe.

Most invasive alien species are not adequately assessed for their actual
and potential economic impacts therefore most cost estimates are grossly underestimated, say the researchers. To fill this gap, the team quantified
the economic costs of biological invasions to the European Union, while estimating future invasion costs using predictive models.

Costs potentially 501% higher than previously recorded Their findings
are alarming -- of the approximately 13,000 invasive alien species
known to have established populations in the European Union, only 259
(around 1%) have reported costs, showing substantial knowledge gaps in
cost assessments regionally. The researchers' models projected unreported
costs to be potentially 501% higher than currently recorded, reaching
a staggering EUR26.64 billion (US$28.0 billion) in the European Union,
led by countries such as Lithuania, Malta, and Czech Republic.

The study's projections for future estimates revealed a substantial
increase in costs, with estimates soaring to more than EUR142.73 billion (US$150 billion) by 2040 in the absence of effective management.

"Our study reveals a shocking underestimation of the economic costs of biological invasions in the European Union. These costs are not only
a huge burden for the European Union's economy, but also jeopardise
the ecological balance and well-being of societies," says lead author
Morgane Henry, a PhD student under the supervision of McGill University Professor Brian Leung.

"It is imperative that we take immediate action to enhance cost reporting, identify the most concerning economic impacts, and work together on a
global scale to address the threat posed by invasive alien species,"
she adds.

The researchers warn that policymakers, scientists, and stakeholders
should take heed of the implications of the study and collaborate to
protect ecosystems, safeguard biodiversity, and ensure the well-being
of communities.

Otherwise, biological invasions will create an insurmountable financial
burden unless the EU and its governments take swift action to address
the devastating ecological impact that's happening.

"The costs are potentially huge, but in most cases we just don't
know. Notably, our fivefold increase in cost estimates included only 1%
of species with existing data, by extrapolating to other countries where
they are known to have invaded, but where costs have not been estimated
yet. We don't know about the other 99% of the species," says Professor
Brian Leung of McGill University's Department of Biology.

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========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Morgane Henry, Brian Leung, Ross N. Cuthbert, Thomas W. Bodey,
Danish A.

Ahmed, Elena Angulo, Paride Balzani, Elizabeta Briski, Franck
Courchamp, Philip E. Hulme, Antoni'n Kouba, Melina Kourantidou,
Chunlong Liu, Rafael L. Mace^do, Francisco J. Oficialdegui, David
Renault, Ismael Soto, Ali Serhan Tarkan, Anna J. Turbelin, Corey
J. A. Bradshaw, Phillip J.

Haubrock. Unveiling the hidden economic toll of biological invasions
in the European Union. Environmental Sciences Europe, 2023; 35
(1) DOI: 10.1186/s12302-023-00750-3 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230713141927.htm

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