Small mammals are amongst the most charismatic animals widely sold as pets around the world. Increasing trade for these pets has resulted in several species releases and escapees from captivity. Consequently, several small mammal pets have become invasive...
An increase of 20 to 30 percent in the number of invasive alien species will lead to dramatic biodiversity loss worldwide. This is one conclusion of a study by an international team of researchers led by C·I·B associate Franz Essl that was published in the journal Global Change Biology.
The first meeting of authors for a new global assessment of invasive alien species and their control for the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), was held recently in Japan.
C·I·B core team member Sabrina Kumschick and C·I·B associate Petr Pyšek, together with collaborators from Europe, developed a concise tool to put a figure on the impacts of alien species.
Many invasive species provide both benefits and costs to society and the environment. These benefits include aesthetic values, but also provide resources such as timber, fuelwood, fodder and food.
