Invasive species

How do invasive alien species affect biodiversity?

Invasive alien species are species that are introduced – either naturally, accidentally or intentionally – into an environment that is not their own and which, after a certain time, manage to adapt to it and colonise it. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), these species are one of the main causes of biodiversity loss worldwide. Below, we review some of the most harmful.

Invasive alien species, such as the red lionfish, are a threat to the planet's biodiversity.

Globalisation has opened up new places, cultures and people to us. However, it has also given us access to animal and vegetable species that are extremely harmful to biodiversity, such as the Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) which appeared unexpectedly in North America in 2019, or the range of fish species that are invading Mediterranean waters (such as gambusia, common carp or pumpkinseed sunfish). Such incursions are increasingly frequent, and are one of the main threats to the survival of one million of the world's species, according to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

What are invasive species?

Invasive alien species are species that are introduced into new areas and, once there, are able to adapt, become established, reproduce and spread, colonising the environment, creating new populations and impacting on biodiversity, health and the economy. These can cause numerous problems, such as acting as predators —hindering the growth of native species—, altering habitats —causing physical and chemical changes to the soil—, competing for food and space; hybridising with native species, introducing new parasites and diseases.

A biological invasion can also have an impact on human health, since several species can transmit disease, cause allergies, and even be poisonous. The impact on the economy can be significant, leading to a reduction in or even the disappearance of fishing, livestock breeding and crop cultivation, and damage to the tourism industry.

Not all introduced species are invasive. Some of them are unable to adapt to their new environment or spread freely, as is the case with many farm animals and garden plants, meaning that they are not a threat to the area. Others acclimatise and spread without damaging the ecosystem, such as potatoes and corn, becoming established species.

But the outcomes are always harmful. The IPBES assessment report on invasive alien species and their controlEnlace externo, se abre en ventana nueva. published in 2023 estimates that biological invasions have contributed to 60% of global extinctions that have occurred in recent decades.

Protection of marine biodiversity

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Protecting, restoring and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

How invasive species are introduced?

Exotic species travel around the world in the most unexpected ways, taking root in places that are thousands of kilometres away from their natural habitats. This is sometimes the result of human intervention — whether intentional or not — and sometimes caused by natural phenomena. Below, we look in more detail at some of the causes linked to human activity:

The trade in wildlife

Trade in exotic plants and animals is the main cause. Illegal trafficking of wildlife is a crime that turns over between 10 and 20 billion euros a year, according to the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF).

Tourism

Visiting other countries contributes to the spread of foreign species, whether intentionally or otherwise.

Hunting and fishing for leisure

In the past, these two activities were responsible for the introduction of animals such as the barbary sheep and the catfish across large parts of Europe.

Transport and international trade

Invasive species often travel hidden away in aircraft holds, shipping containers and ships' hulls.

Abandoned pets

Raccoons, monk parakeets and red-eared slider turtles are examples of exotic pets that have colonised ecosystems after escaping or being abandoned.

Crops and the fur industry

The fashion industry and horticulture have also been gateways for mammals such as the American mink in Europe, and for plants such as the erect prickly pear in Africa and Oceania.

Early detection and rapid response: key to tackling invasive species

Early detection and rapid response are essential when dealing with invasive species, as acting in the earliest stages of their arrival significantly reduces their spread, damage to ecosystems and the economic costs associated with their proliferation. Once species are established and widely dispersed, control or eradication becomes much more difficult.

To identify potential invasions, it is important to stay alert to different signs such as unusual species sightings, damage to crops or ecosystems, or repeated sightings in the same area. In this regard, it is useful to take photographs or videos and collect evidence such as tracks or remains (such as shells, seeds or moults) to confirm their presence and activate response protocols.

There are open global platforms that document detected invasive species, such as the Global Biodiversity Information FacilityEnlace externo, se abre en ventana nueva. or the iNaturalist app, which gather data used by the scientific community.

What’s more, many countries have their own alert and reporting systems. For example, in Spain, the Ministry for the Ecological Transition (MITECO) manages the catalogue and monitoring of invasive species, while irregular situations (illegal trade, release, etc.) are reported through SEPRONA (Nature Protection Service of the Civil Guard). In the United States, there are state-based rapid alert systems, although certain agencies or channels stand out, such as the US Geological Survey Nonindigenous Aquatic Species programme for aquatic species. In Europe, the European Alien Species Information Network centralises information and coordinates monitoring.

Tips for preventing the introduction of invasive alien species.

SEE INFOGRAPHIC: Tips for preventing the introduction of invasive alien species [PDF]

How to control and reduce the impact of invasive species?

The introduction of these species has a detrimental effect on the environment, but also on food safety, the control of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, and on the economy. The Assessment Report on Invasive Alien Species and their Management (IPBES, 2023) estimates that the annual global cost resulting from the presence of invasive alien species has quadrupled since the 1970s, reaching $423 billion.

Despite the serious damage caused, IPBES concludes that 83% of countries lack specific national legislation or regulations to combat these invasive alien species, even though 200 new species are recorded every year. Their numbers are far from peaking, and the intergovernmental platform forecasts a 36% increase in invasive alien species by 2050 compared with 2005.

The damage they cause could be largely prevented or mitigated through a diversified strategy that takes the following points into account:

Legislation to prohibit imports of exotic species.
Prevention through greater vigilance of entry points.
Detection and rapid response to avoid species becoming established.
Eradication of invasive species that have successfully spread.
Pest control where eradication is not possible.

Iberdrola’s approach to invasive species

At Iberdrola, we have a Biodiversity Plan to 2030 that forms part of our environmental management. This roadmap addresses our interaction with the five main drivers of biodiversity loss identified by IPBES, including the spread of invasive species. Through this plan, at Iberdrola we apply the so-called conservation hierarchy —avoid, reduce, restore and regenerate— and incorporate specific measures to identify, prevent and manage risks that may affect the ecosystems where we operate.

This translates into the implementation of preventive measures such as the monitoring of machinery, materials and soils to prevent the accidental introduction of species, as well as biosafety and environmental management protocols.

Furthermore, we promote ecological restoration and habitat improvement initiatives in sensitive environments, supporting the recovery of native species and the balance of ecosystems. These actions are complemented by continuous environmental monitoring programmes to assess changes in biodiversity and adapt management measures where necessary.