Invasive alien species as simultaneous benefits and burdens: trends, stakeholder perceptions and management

Abstract

In addition to being a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, biological invasions also have profound impacts on economies and human wellbeing. However, the threats posed by invasive species often do not receive adequate attention and lack targeted management. In part, this may result from different or even ambivalent perceptions of invasive species which have a dual effect for stakeholders -being simultaneously a benefit and a burden. For these species, literature that synthesizes best practice is very limited, and analyses providing a comprehensive understanding of their economics are generally lacking. This has resulted in a critical gap in our understanding of the underlying trade-offs surrounding management efforts and approaches. Here, we explore qualitative trends in the literature for invasive species with dual effects, drawing from both the recently compiled InvaCost database and international case studies. The few invasive species with dual roles in InvaCost provide evidence for a temporal increase in reporting of costs, but with benefits relatively sporadically reported alongside costs. We discuss methods, management, assessment and policy frameworks dedicated to these species, along with lessons learned, complexities and persisting knowledge gaps. Our analysis points at the need to enhance scientific understanding of those species through inter-and cross-disciplinary efforts that can help advance their management.

Introduction pathways of economically costly invasive alien species

“…Observed patterns can be attributed to several factors including lack of records, possibly in turn affected by species' charisma, perceived utility, and ease of management. IAS charisma-"characteristics that affect people's perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors toward them"-can influence public support or contribute to social conflicts thereby affecting perceptions of costs and management actions (Jarić et al 2020, p. 346;Kourantidou et al 2021). As such, charismatic species are not only more likely to be introduced intentionally through, for example, the ornamental trade (van Kleunen et al 2018) but are also more likely to receive social acceptance in the receiving region and generate public opposition to control measures (Jarić et al 2020).…”

Economic costs of invasive bivalves in freshwater ecosystems

“…The sparse economic data for invasive freshwater bivalves also inhibit recognition of any potential benefits these species provide to humans, and thus impede comprehensive cost–benefit analyses, which could further inform and direct management actions among different economic sectors or regions (Kouranditou et al, 2022). For example, filtration activities of dense populations of Dreissena spp.…”

“…To estimate the cost of bivalve invasions of freshwaters on the global economy, we considered data from the latest version of the InvaCost database at the time of writing this manuscript (version 4.0; full database and descriptive files are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.12668570). We note that although some IAS can provide both benefits and costs to economies (Kouranditou et al, 2022), InvaCost does not quantify benefits provided by IAS and potential beneficial effects are thus outside the scope of this study. This database (13,123 entries; Diagne et al, 2020; Angulo et al, 2021) compiles entries that extensively describe documented costs globally, enabling large‐scale cost syntheses associated with invasive species in different spatial and temporal frames.…”

“…Arguably, the enormous costs associated with invasive bivalves such as the Asian clam Corbicula fluminea and the zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha have done more to raise public awareness of aquatic invasions than their respective ecological impacts, although the economic and ecological impacts are often linked (e.g., Kao et al, 2016). On the contrary, invasive freshwater bivalves have, on occasion, been associated with certain perceived beneficial effects for human activities, as with other invaders (Kourantidou et al, 2022). For instance, their filtration capacity can substantially increase water clarity (Boltovskoy et al, 2009; Higgins & Vander Zanden, 2010; Phelps, 1994), which may benefit certain recreational activities (e.g., scuba diving and angling), while at the same time causing food web disruptions that harm fisheries (Kao et al, 2016).…”

Biological Invasion Costs Reveal Insufficient Proactive Management Worldwide

“…This highlights that clearer and more comprehensive breakdowns of cost reporting across types and contexts would increase the value of such data instead of aggregated total expenditures. Moreover, the management of IAS can raise a number of conflicts, including those arising from opposing economic interests and insufficient communication among resource managers, policymakers, natural and social scientists, and the public (Andreu et al, 2009;Crowley et al, 2017;de Groot et al, 2020;Kourantidou et al, 2022). In economic systems where IAS impacts are not necessarily caused and incurred by the same actors, understanding the nature of past management investments provides important evidence to inform discussion across all stakeholders.…”