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

Author

Listed:
  • Belinda Gallardo

    (CSIC
    Biosecurity Initiative at St. Catherine’s (BioRISC))

  • 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
    University of Sevilla)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Belinda Gallardo & Sven Bacher & Ana Marcia Barbosa & Laure Gallien & Pablo González-Moreno & Víctor Martínez-Bolea & Cascade Sorte & Giovanni Vimercati & Montserrat Vilà, 2024. "Risks posed by invasive species to the provision of ecosystem services in Europe," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-46818-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46818-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pérez, Giovanny & Vilà, Montserrat & Gallardo, Belinda, 2022. "Potential impact of four invasive alien plants on the provision of ecosystem services in Europe under present and future climatic scenarios," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
    2. Sillero, Neftalí, 2011. "What does ecological modelling model? A proposed classification of ecological niche models based on their underlying methods," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 222(8), pages 1343-1346.
    3. Liang, Wanwan & Papeş, Monica & Tran, Liem & Grant, Jerome & Washington-Allen, Robert & Stewart, Scott & Wiggins, Gregory, 2018. "The effect of pseudo-absence selection method on transferability of species distribution models in the context of non-adaptive niche shift," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 388(C), pages 1-9.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhenwei Wang & Jinjin Mao & Yelin Peng & Jiahui Wu & Xiaochun Wang & Lilan Su, 2025. "Exploring the Driving Forces of Ecosystem Services in the Yangtze River Basin, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-16, February.
    2. Hoffmann, Millena & Elliff, Carla Isobel & Nunes, Guilherme Tavares, 2025. "Effects of invasive species on the ecosystem services of a tropical insular protected area in Brazil," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    3. Menghao Qi & Mingcan Sun & Qinping Liu & Hongzhen Tian & Yanchao Sun & Mengmeng Yang & Hui Zhang, 2025. "Multi-Scale Ecosystem Service Supply–Demand Dynamics and Driving Mechanisms in Mainland China During the Last Two Decades: Implications for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-29, July.

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