MSGID: 1:317/3 64b0cf6e   
   PID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
   TID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
    Alien invasion: Study reveals alarming economic costs of biological   
   invasions to the European Union    
    Massive costs estimated to soar to more than EUR142.73 billion (US $150   
   billion) by 2040 in the absence of effective management    
      
     Date:   
         July 13, 2023   
     Source:   
         McGill University   
     Summary:   
         Biological invasions are a major threat to ecosystems, biodiversity,   
         and human well-being, resulting in ecosystem degradation and causing   
         economic costs in the multi-trillions of euros globally. A study   
         sheds light on the stark economic cost resulting from biological   
         invasions in the European Union (EU).   
      
      
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   FULL STORY   
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   Biological invasions are a major threat to ecosystems, biodiversity,   
   and human well-being, resulting in ecosystem degradation and causing   
   economic costs in the multi-trillions of euros globally. A study led by   
   McGill University sheds light on the stark economic cost resulting from   
   biological invasions in the European Union (EU).   
      
   The European Union continues to be exposed to thousands of invasive   
   alien species -- harmful species introduced by humans from outside of   
   their natural habitat. The EU is particularly vulnerable because the   
   region's volume of economic activity via trade and the transportation   
   of goods increases the risks of biological invasions, according to the   
   study published in Environmental Sciences Europe.   
      
   Most invasive alien species are not adequately assessed for their actual   
   and potential economic impacts therefore most cost estimates are grossly   
   underestimated, say the researchers. To fill this gap, the team quantified   
   the economic costs of biological invasions to the European Union, while   
   estimating future invasion costs using predictive models.   
      
   Costs potentially 501% higher than previously recorded Their findings   
   are alarming -- of the approximately 13,000 invasive alien species   
   known to have established populations in the European Union, only 259   
   (around 1%) have reported costs, showing substantial knowledge gaps in   
   cost assessments regionally. The researchers' models projected unreported   
   costs to be potentially 501% higher than currently recorded, reaching   
   a staggering EUR26.64 billion (US$28.0 billion) in the European Union,   
   led by countries such as Lithuania, Malta, and Czech Republic.   
      
   The study's projections for future estimates revealed a substantial   
   increase in costs, with estimates soaring to more than EUR142.73 billion   
   (US$150 billion) by 2040 in the absence of effective management.   
      
   "Our study reveals a shocking underestimation of the economic costs of   
   biological invasions in the European Union. These costs are not only   
   a huge burden for the European Union's economy, but also jeopardise   
   the ecological balance and well-being of societies," says lead author   
   Morgane Henry, a PhD student under the supervision of McGill University   
   Professor Brian Leung.   
      
   "It is imperative that we take immediate action to enhance cost reporting,   
   identify the most concerning economic impacts, and work together on a   
   global scale to address the threat posed by invasive alien species,"   
   she adds.   
      
   The researchers warn that policymakers, scientists, and stakeholders   
   should take heed of the implications of the study and collaborate to   
   protect ecosystems, safeguard biodiversity, and ensure the well-being   
   of communities.   
      
   Otherwise, biological invasions will create an insurmountable financial   
   burden unless the EU and its governments take swift action to address   
   the devastating ecological impact that's happening.   
      
   "The costs are potentially huge, but in most cases we just don't   
   know. Notably, our fivefold increase in cost estimates included only 1%   
   of species with existing data, by extrapolating to other countries where   
   they are known to have invaded, but where costs have not been estimated   
   yet. We don't know about the other 99% of the species," says Professor   
   Brian Leung of McGill University's Department of Biology.   
      
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   Journal Reference:   
      1. Morgane Henry, Brian Leung, Ross N. Cuthbert, Thomas W. Bodey,   
      Danish A.   
      
         Ahmed, Elena Angulo, Paride Balzani, Elizabeta Briski, Franck   
         Courchamp, Philip E. Hulme, Antoni'n Kouba, Melina Kourantidou,   
         Chunlong Liu, Rafael L. Mace^do, Francisco J. Oficialdegui, David   
         Renault, Ismael Soto, Ali Serhan Tarkan, Anna J. Turbelin, Corey   
         J. A. Bradshaw, Phillip J.   
      
         Haubrock. Unveiling the hidden economic toll of biological invasions   
         in the European Union. Environmental Sciences Europe, 2023; 35   
         (1) DOI: 10.1186/s12302-023-00750-3   
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   Link to news story:   
   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230713141927.htm   
      
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