The introduction of non-native aquatic species has fundamentally transformed aquatic assemblages, primarily due to human activities, such as aquaculture, fisheries enhancement, aquarium trade, the creation of artificial corridors, and deliberate and accidental releases. Despite growing concern for biological invasions, there is no overall global appraisal of successful non-native fishes. This study compiled a comprehensive dataset from several global sources to examine the taxonomic diversity, geographical distribution, introduction pathways, and ecological impacts of non-native freshwater and marine fishes. Our dataset includes 1535 established non-native fish species in 193 countries (82% of the global coverage), with Leuciscidae, Cichlidae, Salmonidae, and Cyprinidae being the most represented families. Although the incline in first reportings appears almost linear, annual reporting has been declining for decades, suggesting fish introduction rates are decreasing. The main introduction pathways are aquarium trade, aquaculture, fishery augmentation, and the creation of artificial corridors. The importance of introduction pathways substantially differed between freshwater species (primarily the aquarium trade and aquaculture) and marine species (corridors). While extensive records exist for hundreds of non-native fish species, information on their impact types and impact mechanisms remains available only for a third of these species, highlighting broad knowledge deficiencies. Available impact information indicates that non-native fish species may threaten native biodiversity through primarily competition and predation as dominant mechanisms. The magnitude of highest-risk invasions suggests remediation is possible through urgent proactive policy and management interventions. This comprehensive global evaluation of established fish species and their ecological effects thus addresses critical data deficiencies, strengthens risk assessment frameworks, and supports the development of targeted biosecurity policies on priority pathways, approaches essential for helping mitigate the environmental and economic impacts of non-native fish introductions.

• Keywords
• aquatic ecosystem, aquatic habitat, biological invasion, freshwater ecosystem, introduction pathways, invasive species,
• MeSH
• Biodiversity * MeSH
• Fisheries MeSH
• Fishes * physiology   classification   MeSH
• Aquaculture MeSH
• Conservation of Natural Resources * MeSH
• Introduced Species * MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Humans have spread plants globally for millennia, inadvertently causing ecological disruptions. Apart from their negative effects, biological invasions provide a unique opportunity to study how species modify their niche when confronted with novel environments. Focusing on the Mediterranean Basin, we assessed (1) which traits influence niche dynamics, and (2) whether niche conservatism or niche shift promotes invasion success. We selected the 80 most widespread alien vascular plant species in Mediterranean Europe and compiled data on their distributions in their native and invaded ranges. We then tested how a species' residence time, biogeographic origin, dispersal ability, functional traits, and intraspecific trait variability (ITV) influence its niche dynamics following invasion. Using already published independent data, we finally assessed whether niche dynamics can explain different dimensions of invasion success (quantified as regional spread or local abundance). We found that niche shifts were common (71% of species) and were mostly driven by species failing to occupy all suitable environments in their invaded range (unfilling), regardless of residence time. Niche unfilling and niche expansion were more important in species with high intraspecific trait variability introduced from non-Mediterranean biomes (temperate or tropical). Niche expansion was also greater in species with long-distance dispersal, a narrow native niche, and bigger seeds. Interestingly, invasion success correlated more with a species' ability to conserve its niche and residence time than with niche expansion. Niche shifts were better predicted by species traits than residence time. For example, high adaptive and acclimatization potential (inferred from high intraspecific trait variability) favored niche shifts in general, and long-distance dispersal favored niche expansion. Understanding how these traits relate to niche dynamics is important since a species' ability to conserve and fill its niche is, in turn, a good predictor of invasion success.

• Keywords
• acclimatization, invasion success, invasive species, niche dynamics, niche filling, phenotypic plasticity, rapid adaptation, species traits,
• MeSH
• Plant Dispersal * MeSH
• Ecosystem * MeSH
• Plants * classification   MeSH
• Introduced Species * MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Europe MeSH
• Mediterranean Region MeSH

Many invasive non-native species gradually become embedded within local cultures. Such species can increasingly be perceived by society as familiar or even native elements of the social-ecological system and become an integral part of local cultures. Here, we explore this phenomenon and refer to it as the cultural integration of invasive species. Although culturally integrated species can positively contribute to people's lives and well-being, and provide new or lost ecosystem services, their acceptance can also hinder the ability of conservation managers to successfully manage invasive species by reducing public support for their management. Cultural integration can infringe upon social values and cultural identities, and contribute to the erosion and homogenization of biocultural diversity. It can also modify or displace the cultural uses and values of native species, and may disrupt social-ecological legacies and dynamics. We present the main mechanisms of cultural integration, its drivers and major implications, and provide key recommendations for the management and conservation of biological and cultural diversity.

• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

Biological invasions threaten global biodiversity, human well-being and economies. Many regional and taxonomic syntheses of monetary costs have been produced recently but with important knowledge gaps owing to uneven geographic and taxonomic research intensity. Here we combine species distribution models, macroeconomic data and the InvaCost database to produce the highest resolution spatio-temporal cost estimates currently available to bridge these gaps. From a subset of 162 invasive species with 'highly reliable' documented costs at the national level, our interpolation focuses on countries that have not reported any costs despite the known presence of invasive species. This analysis demonstrates a substantial underestimation, with global costs potentially estimated to be 1,646% higher for these species than previously recorded. This discrepancy was uneven geographically and taxonomically, respectively peaking in Europe and for plants. Our results showed that damage costs were primarily driven by gross domestic product, human population size, agricultural area and environmental suitability, whereas management expenditure correlated with gross domestic product and agriculture areas. We also found a lag time for damage costs of 46 years, but management spending was not delayed. The methodological predictive approach of this study provides a more complete view of the economic dimensions of biological invasions and narrows the global disparity in invasion cost reporting.

• MeSH
• Biodiversity * MeSH
• Conservation of Natural Resources * economics   MeSH
• Introduced Species * economics   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Europe MeSH

Invasive alien species are a major driver of global change, impacting biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human livelihoods. To document these impacts, we present the Global Impacts Dataset of Invasive Alien Species (GIDIAS), a dataset on the positive, negative and neutral impacts of invasive alien species on nature, nature's contributions to people, and good quality of life. This dataset arises from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services' (IPBES) thematic assessment report of this topic. Data were compiled from published sources, including grey literature, reporting a direct observation of an invasive alien species' impact. All impact records contain up to 52 fields of contextual information and attempt to link impacts to the global standard "environmental impact classification for alien taxa" (EICAT) and "socio-economic impact classification for alien taxa" (SEICAT). GIDIAS includes more than 22000 records of impacts caused by 3353 invasive alien species (plants, vertebrates, invertebrates, microorganisms) from all continents and realms (terrestrial, freshwater, marine), extracted from over 6700 sources. We intend GIDIAS to be a global resource for investigating and managing the variety of impacts of invasive alien species across taxa and regions.

• MeSH
• Biodiversity * MeSH
• Ecosystem MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Conservation of Natural Resources MeSH
• Introduced Species * MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Dataset MeSH

A nexus of natural and human variables mediate the success of non-native species that threaten global biodiversity and ecological stability. However, the relative importance and interplays among relevant factors has not been holistically approached. To identify spatial differences and potential connections in relevant natural and human drivers, we analyzed the number of non-native species established in European countries using a newly collated database of established non-native species. We employ a series of broadscale national predictors classified into 'research', 'economy', 'environment & culture', and 'land-use' to predict successful establishment. Our null models, which assume the distribution of non-native species mirrors that of each predictor, accurately predicted non-native species numbers across European countries. However, a few countries were identified as outliers, having significantly over- or underrepresented non-native species numbers based on adjusted quasi-Poisson distribution quantiles. A network analysis of non-native species compositions identified these regions to be central hubs (e.g. Germany, France, and Switzerland), but also highlighted distinct spatial similarities across European countries. Combinations of the predictors 'economy', 'research', and 'environment & culture' explained the largest shares of differences in the number of established non-native species among European countries as well as their reporting rates over time. Individual drivers alone were insufficient to wholly explain national differences, whereas interacting driver categories ultimately accounted for the largest shares of variance. This analysis demonstrates the breadth of predictors that mediate successful establishment, and particularly highlights the relevance of overlooked historical-cultural facets affecting biological invasions.

• Keywords
• Biological invasions, Economy, Environmental change, Europe, Society and culture,
• MeSH
• Biodiversity * MeSH
• Ecosystem MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Conservation of Natural Resources * MeSH
• Introduced Species * statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Europe MeSH

Monitoring gastrointestinal helminth infections in wild ruminants poses significant challenges for managing wildlife health, particularly regarding invasive species. Traditional coprological methods are often limited by their labor-intensive nature and potential for erroneous identification due to morphological similarities among parasite species. This study employed advanced molecular techniques to assess the prevalence and distribution of several helminth taxa, including the invasive nematode Ashworthius sidemi and the trematode Fascioloides magna, in wild ruminant populations in the Czech Republic (CR). A comprehensive and extensive survey on parasite occurrence, unique in its nationwide scope, was conducted on 983 fecal samples collected from red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), fallow deer (Dama dama), and mouflon (Ovis musimon) across various regions of the CR. The samples were analyzed using multiplex real-time PCR assays specifically designed to detect the DNA of six helminth representatives: the nematodes A. sidemi and Haemonchus spp., as well as the trematodes F. magna, Dicrocoelium dendriticum, Fasciola hepatica, and Calicophoron daubneyi (and representatives of the family Paramphistomidae, respectively). These assays targeted regions of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and were designed to exhibit high sensitivity and specificity, enabling accurate detection of helminth parasites directly in fecal samples. The molecular assays revealed that invasive nematode A. sidemi was the most prevalent helminth species, detected in 15.8% of all samples (155/983), with the highest infection rate observed in red deer at 30.7% (124/404). Haemonchus spp. were also frequently detected, identified in 14.9% of samples (146/983), particularly in roe deer, with a prevalence of 23.2% (86/371). Spatial analysis of these nematodes across various regions of the CR revealed the extensive distribution of both A. sidemi and Haemonchus spp. in nearly all regions. In contrast, trematode infections were less common, with F. magna and D. dendriticum each found in only 1.5% of samples (15/983). Members of the family Paramphistomidae were detected in 0.2% of the samples (2/983) and were confirmed through sequencing as C. daubneyi. The geographical distribution patterns identified in this study indicate potential hotspots for specific helminth species. These findings are critical for planning health management and conservation strategies to mitigate the impacts of helminth infections, especially in areas affected by invasive species.

• Keywords
• Ashworthius sidemi, Fascioloides magna, Haemonchus spp., environmental fecal samples, multiplex real-time PCR, nested PCR, rumen flukes, wild ruminants,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Anthropogenic activities have drastically changed environmental conditions worldwide, negatively impacting biodiversity and ecosystem services. At the same time, the majority of the human population lives in urban areas that are greatly altered from natural habitats. Nevertheless, many species thrive in these urban environments. To improve our knowledge of evolution and adaptation in these anthropogenically impacted habitats, we conducted the widest series of stress experiments to date with three marine taxa: one mussel and two gammarid species. We compared intraspecific populations from protected and human-altered habitats to determine their tolerance to salinity, temperature and partial pressure of CO2 in water (pCO2) regimes. Populations from impacted habitats typically outperformed protected habitat populations, with individuals from the most impacted habitat being the most robust. We propose that urban populations are adapting to life in disturbed environments-this adaptation concurrently promotes more resilient rescue populations but potentially confers increased invasion risk from non-native species.

• Keywords
• aquatic ecosystem, environmental change, land use, pCO2, salinity, temperature,
• MeSH
• Amphipoda * physiology   MeSH
• Anthropogenic Effects * MeSH
• Ecosystem * MeSH
• Adaptation, Physiological * MeSH
• Stress, Physiological * MeSH
• Bivalvia * physiology   MeSH
• Carbon Dioxide MeSH
• Salinity MeSH
• Temperature MeSH
• Cities MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Cities MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Carbon Dioxide MeSH

In a hyperconnected world, framing and managing biological invasions poses complex and contentious challenges, affecting socioeconomic and environmental sectors. This complexity distinguishes the field and fuels polarized debates. In the present article, we synthesize four contentious issues in invasion science that are rarely addressed together: vocabulary usage, the potential benefits of nonnative species, perceptions shifting because of global change, and rewilding practices and biological invasions. Researchers have predominantly focused on single issues; few have addressed multiple components of the debate within or across disciplinary boundaries. Ignoring the interconnected nature of these issues risks overlooking crucial cross-links. We advocate for interdisciplinary approaches that better integrate social and natural sciences. Although they are challenging, interdisciplinary collaborations offer hope to overcome polarization issues in invasion science. These may bridge disagreements, facilitate knowledge exchange, and reshape invasion science narratives. Finally, we present a contemporary agenda to advance future research, management, and constructive dialogue.

• Keywords
• conservation biology, human–wildlife interactions, invasion science, invasive species, natural resource management,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

Invasions by nonnative insect species can massively disrupt ecological processes, often leading to serious economic impacts. Previous work has identified propagule pressure as important driver of the trend of increasing numbers of insect invasions worldwide. In the present article, we propose an alternative hypothesis-that insect invasions are being driven by the proliferation of nonnative plants, which create niches for insect specialists and facilitate their establishment outside their native ranges where their hosts are planted or are invasive. We synthesize mechanisms by which plant invasions facilitate insect invasions, macroecological patterns supporting the tight link between plant and insect invasions, and case studies of plant invasions having facilitated subsequent insect establishment. This body of evidence indicates that plant invasions are a major driver of insect invasions. Consequently, the benefits of limiting the spread of nonnative plants include averting the proliferation of nonnative insects and their spillover onto native plant species.

• Keywords
• empty niche, enemy release, facilitation, human-mediated dispersal, introduction pathways,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH