Global concern: At least $423 billion in damages were caused in 2019 by the invasion of global ecosystems by non-native species. This cost is a careful and conservative calculation of the damages, as since 1970, every decade, annual damages to the economy have quadrupled. This figure is now being published by the International Organization for the Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems (IPBES).
The largest international organization with 143 countries has been asked by its member governments to examine the state of invasion of various species in the world as well as ways to deal with this invasion. In 2019, the organization found that invasion of alien species is the fifth most significant factor influencing nature and humanity in a variety of forms and ways that lead to huge damage.
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After this report, the organization gathered 86 researchers from 49 countries, receiving data from all over the world. This is the most comprehensive international report in the field and will form the basis of the activities of the UN and various governments around the world in relation to the invasion of alien species.
What is the level of invasion?
The follow-up found that more than 37,3 alien species have been introduced over the years to places where they have not been, mainly due to human activity. Of these species, more than 500,<> have been classified as dangerous pests that threaten the local nature as well as the people living in the same area.
"Invasive alien species threaten biodiversity, can cause irreversible damage to nature and threaten human well-being," explains Professor Helen Roy (UK), co-chair of the document together with Prof. Anibal Pouchard (Chile) and Prof. Peter Stott (Canada).
The authors of the report note that not all alien species become dangerous invaders. This is a subgroup out of all the invaders. These invaders are most severely dangerous to local communities that are heavily dependent on nature.
Malaria virus is transmitted to humans by insects, mainly mosquitoes (illustration), photo: AFP
As an example of the danger to humanity of these invasions, the researchers cite the spread of malaria, Zika and West Nile fever spread by invasive mosquitoes.
Invasive species also cause severe damage to human livelihoods. For example, in Lake Victoria in Africa, the local tilapia fishing sector has been severely affected by the spread of the water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes), which is the most extensive land invasive alien species in the world. In second place after hyacinth is the lantana plant and in third place is the common rat.
Invasion by regions of the world
The report found that 34% of biological invasions were reported from the Americas, 31% from Europe and Central Asia, 25% from Asia Pacific and about 7% from Africa. Most adverse impacts are reported on land (about 75%) – especially in forests, and cultivated areas, with far fewer reports of invasion and damage to freshwater (14%) and marine (10%) habitats.
The first ecological vineyard in Israel at Ramat Sirin. Perfect balance between the vineyard and the environment, photo: Avi Ganor
In addition, alien species that invade small islands are significantly harmful to the environment, with 25% of the world's islands already having more invaded plants than the local ones.
How much is the world investing in curbing the phenomenon?
A difficult picture emerges from the report regarding the global coping with the problem. While 80% of the world's countries have the awareness and desire to act against invasive species, only 17% of countries have laws on the subject. In addition, 45% of countries do not invest resources at all in conducting such invasions.
However, the report's authors leave it on an optimistic note, noting that a number of confrontations with various invasive species around the world have succeeded well.
And what about Israel?
One of the report's main authors is Prof. Bella Galil, a senior marine biologist. She mentions the State Comptroller's report from 2022, in which the State Comptroller writes that "as of August 2021, there are dozens to hundreds of invasive species in Israel, including the small fire ant and the Formosi super termite; According to estimates by government ministries, the cost of damage caused by invasive species ranges from NIS 473 million per year to about NIS 1.5 billion per year."
The comptroller also stated that "Israel does not have a strategic action plan for preserving biodiversity."
In the report, the comptroller attacks the damage estimate of the government ministries and notes that according to his ministry's examination, the cost of damages is hundreds of percent higher than previous estimates."
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