This invasive species They pose a serious threat to ecosystems, biodiversity and human well-being as they cause degradation of ecosystems. But they are also often unknown economic dimension: causes losses of several billion euros worldwide and 26,000 million in the EU alonemuch more than is believed.
A study led by McGill University (Canada) has revealed the enormous economic cost of biological invasions in the European Union, which continues to expose thousands of invasive alien species. For example, in Spain, species such as the zebra mussel cause severe damage to hydraulic infrastructures due to concentrations of these bivalves that clog and clog pipes and other equipment.
The EU is particularly vulnerable to this phenomenon, as the volume of economic activity in the region through international trade and the transport of goods increases the risk of the arrival of exotic species, according to research published in . Environmental Sciences Europe.
The problem is there is no adequate assessment of real economic impacts and the potentials of invasive alien species, so many cost estimates have been greatly underestimated, the researchers say.
To fill this gap, the team measured the economic costs of the European Union’s biological invasions, as well as calculating the costs of future invasions using predictive models.
501% more cost than previously thought
The findings in this study are alarming: about 13,000 invasive alien species known to have settled in the European Union, There is information on the economic losses caused by only 259 of them (about 1%).
Computer models used by the researchers showed that spending would be up to 501% higher than currently registered. 26,640 million euros in the European Union. The countries most affected by this expenditure will be Lithuania, Malta and the Czech Republic.
Regarding future projections, the research warns of a significant increase in costs. Estimates of up to 142,730 million euros for 2040 If effective management of this growing problem is not implemented.
“Our study shows that the economic losses from biological invasions in the European Union have been significantly underestimated. Big burden on EU economybut it also jeopardizes the ecological balance and well-being of societies,” says lead author Morgane Henry of McGill University.
“It is imperative that we take immediate action to improve data on these economic costs, identify the most worrying economic impacts, and work together on a global scale to address the threat posed by invasive alien species.”
Take action to avoid an insurmountable financial burden
The researchers caution that policymakers, scientists and stakeholders need to pay attention to the results of the study and work together to protect ecosystems, preserve biodiversity and ensure the well-being of communities. Otherwise, Biological invasions will create an insurmountable financial burden if the EU is not challenged. and their governments are taking swift action to address the devastating ecological impact that is occurring.
“The costs are potentially huge, but in most cases we don’t know about it. Specifically, Discovered increase in cost estimates (five times greater than previously known) includes only 1% of species with available data”says Professor Brian Leung of McGill University’s Department of Biology.
These figures are estimated for other countries where the presence of invasive species is known but losses have not yet been calculated. “We don’t know anything about the other 99% of the species,” adds Leung.
Reference article: 10.1186/s12302-023-00750-3
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