Article
Risks posed by invasive species to the provision of ecosystem services in Europe
Author/s | Gallardo, Belinda
Bacher, Sven Barbosa, Ana Marcia Gallien, Laure González Moreno, Pablo Martínez Bolea, Víctor Vilà, Montserrat |
Department | Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología |
Publication Date | 2024-04-10 |
Deposit Date | 2024-06-03 |
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 ... 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. |
Funding agencies | Agencia Estatal de Investigación. España Swiss National Science Foundation (SNFS) Agencia Nacional de Investigación Francesa National Science Foundation (NSF). United States Juan de la Cierva Incorporación |
Project ID. | PCI2018-092939
PCI2018-092986 31003A_179491 31BD30_184114 ANR-18-EBI4-0001-06 ICER-1852060 IJCI-2017-31733 |
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s41467-024-46818-3.pdf | 3.749Mb | [PDF] | View/ | |