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

Belinda Gallardo (), Sven Bacher, Ana Marcia Barbosa, Laure Gallien, Pablo González-Moreno, Víctor Martínez-Bolea, Cascade Sorte, Giovanni Vimercati and Montserrat Vilà
Additional contact information
Belinda Gallardo: CSIC
Sven Bacher: Unit Ecology & Evolution, University of Fribourg
Ana Marcia Barbosa: Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto
Laure Gallien: LECA
Pablo González-Moreno: University of Cordoba, Campus de Rabanales
Víctor Martínez-Bolea: CSIC
Cascade Sorte: University of California
Giovanni Vimercati: Unit Ecology & Evolution, University of Fribourg
Montserrat Vilà: CSIC

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Invasive species significantly impact biodiversity and ecosystem services, yet understanding these effects at large spatial scales remains a challenge. Our study addresses this gap by assessing the current and potential future risks posed by 94 invasive species to seven key ecosystem services in Europe. We demonstrate widespread potential impacts, particularly on outdoor recreation, habitat maintenance, crop provisioning, and soil and nitrogen retention. Exposure to invasive species was higher in areas with lower provision of ecosystem services, particularly for regulating and cultural services. Exposure was also high in areas where ecosystem contributions to crop provision and nitrogen retention were at their highest. Notably, regions vital for ecosystem services currently have low invasion suitability, but face an average 77% increase in potential invasion area. Here we show that, while high-value ecosystem service areas at the highest risk represent a small fraction of Europe (0-13%), they are disproportionally important for service conservation. Our study underscores the importance of monitoring and protecting these hotspots to align management strategies with international biodiversity targets, considering both invasion vulnerability and ecosystem service sustainability.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46818-3

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