A topic that is perhaps often an afterthought in environmental and public health discussions is that of the impact of invasive alien species in areas that they have been introduced.
In terms of the environment and biodiversity, invasive alien species wreak havoc on ecosystems and have been a significant factor in nearly two-thirds of species extinctions. Institutionally, the economic impact of invasive alien species is now upwards of 423 billion dollars annually.
Likewise, the spread of invasive alien species impacts human health – they spread diseases that were previously rare or unknown (West Nile, dengue), contribute to novel environmental hazards (wildfires in Hawaii), adversely impact crop yields and food sources (loss of tomato, maize, and cereal crops in Sub-Saharan Africa due to insect and pathogen damage), and contribute to deprivation and financial stress stemming from economic impacts (collapse of the fishing industry in the North American Great Lakes due to the sea lamprey) (1, 2, 3). Compounding the negative effects that invasive alien species bring, the use of chemical pesticides and herbicides that are used to control or eradicate some alien species (4) expose areas to new chemicals that they would not otherwise have encountered. This creates additional hazards to human health and the local ecosystem.
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These species need a conduit for movement. Some may find that warming temperatures mean that they can survive in areas of higher elevation or at extended latitudes, others have been introduced deliberately or inadvertently, while still others take advantage of human development (artificially connected bodies of water, protection afforded by an interconnected network of expanding human settlement, and air, land, and sea transport).
It is important to remain cognizant of what can be done to prevent the spread of invasive alien species. In both private life and industry, people can make an impact on reducing the spread of invasive alien species:
Avoid bringing plants, animals, and organic products from their native to a non-native region. Countries generally have regulation against this anyway, but there are routine incidences of authorities intercepting the transport of prohibited biological material, which is likewise an indication that others get through.
Use native species as much as possible when landscaping or gardening, in private and public settings. This has the added benefit of reinforcing the local ecosystem (providing food and cover for native animals and insects, etc.)
Avoid the transport of material that can harbor organisms (the transport of non-treated firewood, the use of non-treated wooden packaging materials and pallets, etc.)
Keep transport vehicles clean and free of debris that could harbor invasive alien species such as soil, water, and plant material.
Work with local authorities to identify invasive alien species and follow their guidelines for removal. They often release information concerning what invasive alien species are active in the local area, and the most appropriate means of removal and disposal.
- Mark Anderson
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1 – Al Jazeera (2023). ‘From toads to bugs, UN says invasive species rising at ‘unprecedented rate’’, Al Jazeera, 5 Sept [Online]. Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/5/from-toads-to-bugs-un-says-invasive-species-rising-at-unprecedented-rate.
2 – Pratt, C. et al. (2017). ‘Economic impacts of invasive alien species on African smallholder livelihoods’, Global Food Security, 14(2017), pp. 31-37, ScienceDirect [Online]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2017.01.011.
3 – Great Lakes Fishery Commission (2023). ‘Sea lamprey: A Great Lakes invader’, Sea Lamprey. Available at: http://www.glfc.org/sea-lamprey.php#:~:text=By%20the%20late%201940s%2C%20sea,2%25%20of%20the%20previous%20average.
4 - National Invasive Species Information Center (NISIC) (no date). ‘Control mechanisms’, Resources by subject or type. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Available at: https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/subject/control-mechanisms.
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