Invasive species pose a significant threat to ecosystems, biodiversity and human well‑being by eroding natural habitats and disrupting ecological balance. Yet their economic impact is often underestimated, with losses spanning billions of euros worldwide and billions within the European Union alone. The scale of this hidden cost is far larger than commonly imagined.
A study led by McGill University in Canada highlights the enormous economic burden caused by biological invasions across the European Union. The research notes that thousands of alien species are introduced through global trade and transport networks, with Spain reporting particular damage from species like the zebra mussel, which clogs hydraulic infrastructures and damages pipes and equipment.
The European Union remains especially vulnerable to this phenomenon due to the high volume of international commerce and logistics activity that increases the chances of non‑native species entering member states, according to the study published in Environmental Sciences Europe.
The costs associated with exotic species are substantial, but there is a gap in reliable assessments of their real economic impact and potential future losses. As a result, many cost estimates have been significantly understated, according to the researchers.
To address this gap, the team quantified the current economic costs of biological invasions in the European Union and projected future costs using predictive models.
501% more cost than previously thought
The study yields alarming findings: around 13,000 invasive species are known to have established populations in the European Union, but economic losses have been documented for only about 259 of them, roughly 1 percent. Computer models indicate that actual spending could be up to 501 percent higher than what is presently recorded, totaling 26,640 million euros in the EU. Lithuania, Malta, and the Czech Republic emerge as the countries most affected by these expenditures.
Regarding future outlooks, the research warns of a sharp rise in costs if proactive management is not pursued. Projections suggest expenditures could reach as high as 142,730 million euros by 2040, emphasizing the need for timely, coordinated action to curb the spread and impact of invasive species.
“Our study shows that economic losses from biological invasions in the European Union have been substantially underestimated. They place a heavy burden on the EU economy and threaten ecological balance and societal well‑being,” says Morgane Henry of McGill University, the lead author. “Immediate action is essential to improve data on these costs, to identify the most economically worrying impacts, and to collaborate globally to address this threat.”
There is a clear call for urgent, cross‑border cooperation among policymakers, researchers and stakeholders to safeguard ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and ensure community welfare. Without decisive measures, biological invasions could impose an insurmountable financial burden on the EU. Governments, researchers and institutions across member states are urged to respond swiftly to mitigate ecological damage and financial strain.
“The costs can be enormous, yet in many cases they remain hidden. The latest estimates show a fivefold increase in costs while data exist for only about 1 percent of the species involved,” notes Brian Leung of McGill University’s Department of Biology. “There is still a great deal we don’t know about the remaining 99 percent of invasive species.”
While the report focuses on the European Union, it highlights a broader pattern seen in many regions where invasive species are present but not fully quantified in economic terms. Further research is needed to expand data coverage and refine projections for other countries where the phenomenon is known but cost data are sparse.
For researchers and policy planners, the study underscores the urgency of improving surveillance, sharing data and adopting preventative strategies that can reduce future losses, preserve natural resources, and protect the livelihoods of communities dependent on healthy ecosystems.
As the study illustrates, the better the data, the more precisely governments can target interventions, allocate resources, and measure the effectiveness of management strategies against invasive species. The authors advocate for enhanced monitoring, transparent reporting and international collaboration to confront this growing environmental and economic challenge.
Further developments in this area will require coordinated action across borders, disciplines and sectors. The aim is to limit the entry of new species, slow the spread of those already established, and invest in restoration and resilience to safeguard both nature and the economy.