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A report by attorney Read D. Porter that examines coordination on aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention among the Chesapeake Bay states. The report focuses on prevention-related legal authorities in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania in particular, and recommends actions to improve regional cooperation both within the existing regulatory frameworks and through potential amendments to state laws and regulations to enhance prevention.

Scientists from the CNRS, the IRD, and the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle have just released the most comprehensive estimate to date of the financial toll of invasive species: nearly $1.3 trillion over four decades. Published in Nature (31 March 2021), their findings are based on the InvaCost database, which is financed by the BNP Paribas Foundation and the Paris-Saclay University Foundation’s AXA Chair of Invasion Biology. The annual expenses generated by biological invasions are only increasing, with no sign of any slowing.

See also: Biocontrol Factsheets for more information on biocontrol agents

The spread of invasive plant species has serious consequences for Africa. Toxic weeds and harmful shrubs significantly shrink rangelands and lower the productivity of major grain foods such as maize (in some instances by up to 45%). This briefing highlights the significance of earth observation (EO) data for the development of tools and strategies to curb the increasing spread of invasive species.

Doherty, T.S., A.S. Glen, D.G. Nimmo, E.G. Ritchie, and C.R. Dickman. 2016. Invasive predators and global biodiversity loss. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 113(40):11261-11265.

An invasive species of ant has been discovered in Europe for the first time. Nearly 90 nests of the red imported fire ant, or Solenopsis invicta, were found near the city of Syracuse, Italy, according to a new report published in the journal Current Biology. While the ants have occasionally been found in imported products in Europe, this is the first time they have become established in the wild.

Pressures from climate change are exacerbating the challenges of human activity on Antarctica, as climate change is bringing milder conditions to these wildlife-rich areas, both on land and sea. As glaciers melt, new areas are exposed, which allows non-Antarctic species greater opportunity to establish and possibly outcompete locals for resources, such as nutrients and precious, ice-free space.
See also: Invasive non‐native species likely to threaten biodiversity and ecosystems in the Antarctic Peninsula region (Glob Chang Biol. 2020 Apr; 26(4): 2702–2716)

Several tick species spread diseases to humans, including American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis), blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis), western blacklegged ticks (Ixodes pacificus), and lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum). With international trade transporting arthropods among continents, warming temperatures expanding habitable ranges, changes in land use, and increases in host populations, invasive tick species are a growing problem in North America. And, when invasive tick species do become established, they raise the concern of spreading diseases to humans, pets, and livestock. Over 100 tick species from other countries have arrived in the continental U.S. already.

See also: Biocontrol Factsheets for more information on biocontrol agents

The lionfish is a striking yet destructive invasive species that has found its way into the waters of North America, leaving a trail of ecological havoc in its wake. In this blog post, we delve into the alarming impact of lionfish invasion on our local marine environments and the urgent need for concerted action.

Making a List: Prevention Strategies for Invasive Plants in the Great Lakes States surveys plant listing programs in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin to assess the effectiveness of listing as a tool to prevent the proliferation and spreads of invasive plant species.

A new scientific report, Summary for Policymakers of the Thematic Assessment Report on Invasive Alien Species and their Control of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, offers the most exhaustive look yet at how nonnative plants and animals can drive extinctions, disrupt food systems and harm human health. The report was compiled by 86 experts from 49 countries, who drew on thousands of scientific studies and contributions from Indigenous people and local communities. Key points:

• Invasive Alien Species Pose Major Global Threats to Nature, Economies, Food Security and Human Health
• Key Role in 60% of Global Plant & Animal Extinctions
• Annual Costs Now >$423 Billion – Have Quadrupled Every Decade Since 1970
• Report Provides Evidence, Tools & Options to Help Governments Achieve Ambitious New Global Goal on Invasive Alien Species