Invasive Species Identified as Primary Threat to Global Biodiversity by Intergovernmental Panel
GENEVA (SWITZERLAND) – A comprehensive report released Wednesday by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services has determined that invasive species now pose the primary threat to global biodiversity, surpassing habitat loss and climate change. The assessment, compiled over four years by 86 leading experts from 49 countries, identifies more than 3,500 harmful invasive species established worldwide. Researchers documented that these non-native organisms have directly contributed to 60 percent of recorded global extinctions over the past 5 centuries, with economic damages exceeding 423 billion dollars annually. The report highlights the accidental introduction of species through global trade routes, including shipping ballast water and agricultural imports, as the primary vector of spread. Experts warn that without immediate coordinated intervention, including enhanced biosecurity measures and early detection systems, the rate of new invasions is projected to increase by 50 percent by the year 2050. The panel is now urging international governments to adopt binding treaty obligations for the prevention, eradication, and containment of invasive species to mitigate impending ecological collapse.