Alien Invasive Species Are Costing the World Billions, But a Natural Weapon Offers Hope | Weather.com
Alien Invasive Species Are Costing the World Billions, But a Natural Weapon Offers Hope | Weather.com The Weather Channel
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Alien Invasive Species: A Threat to Biodiversity and the Economy
According to to the report, water hyacinth is the world’s most widespread invasive alien species on land.
(Xinhua/Li Hanchi/IANS)
Epic battles, grand conquests, and stealthy invasions have shaped human history as we know it. But amid the cacophony of wars, a quieter invasion in the ecological realm had gone largely unnoticed — until it was a little too late.
These alien biological agents (animals, plants and other organisms) traversed great distances, swiftly moving out of their natural habitat to new ranges. Once established in these new regions they turn invasive, spurring environmental chaos by trampling and taking over the native flora and fauna of the new regions.
In 2019, these silent encroachers, termed alien invasive species, were costing the world a whopping $423 billion annually, according to an extensive study by the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
Human movements around the world have significantly enabled biological invasion, both intentionally and unintentionally — with the economic damages accrued by such biological invasions quadrupling every year since the 1970s.
Measuring the Colossal Impact of ‘Invasives’ on Biodiversity Loss
Some examples that hit a little too close to home include the infamous water hyacinth that can be seen choking most major rivers in India and the world. Another story unfolded in Delhi’s dusty landscape where lush forests of Mesquite (Prosopis Juliflora, locally known as Vilayati Keekar) continue to strangulate native flora.
While they may not wield swords or raise flags, these invaders are reshaping landscapes, affecting ecosystems, and impacting economies in ways that demand our attention.
More than 37,000 alien species have stepped foot in new biomes around the world, all thanks to human activities. Of these, 3,500 invasive alien species have their feet so firmly planted that they are enabling species extinction in their non-native ranges!
Invasive species are among the five evil drivers of global biodiversity loss, alongside changes in land and sea use, exploitation of animals, climate change and pollution. They also threaten the food supply and public health.
The report even puts an estimate on it — about 60% of recorded global extinctions have been triggered by biological invasions in some capacity, while they are the only reason behind 16% of documented plant and animal extinctions worldwide.
However, it is the native and endemic diversity on islands around the world, untouched by mainland biodiversity, that have seen the worst: of all known extinctions by invasive species a worrying 90% of them have been seen on islands.
Noting how alien invasive species and their
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 15: Life on Land
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 14: Life Below Water
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 15.8: By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species.
- SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
- SDG 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience and take action for their restoration to achieve healthy and productive oceans.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 15.8: Number of introduced and invasive alien species per unit area.
- Indicator for SDG 13.1: Number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies.
- Indicator for SDG 14.2: Percentage of marine areas protected.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.8: By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species. | Indicator: Number of introduced and invasive alien species per unit area. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | Indicator: Number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies. |
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience and take action for their restoration to achieve healthy and productive oceans. | Indicator: Percentage of marine areas protected. |
The article highlights the issue of invasive alien species and their impact on biodiversity loss, ecosystems, and economies. This connects to SDG 15: Life on Land, which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. The specific target under this SDG is to introduce measures to prevent the introduction and reduce the impact of invasive alien species. The indicator for this target is the number of introduced and invasive alien species per unit area.
The article also mentions the need to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters, which aligns with SDG 13: Climate Action. The target under this SDG is to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity in all countries, and the indicator is the number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies.
Additionally, the article discusses the importance of managing and protecting marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid adverse impacts. This relates to SDG 14: Life Below Water, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources. The target under this SDG is to sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems, with the indicator being the percentage of marine areas protected.
Overall, the article addresses SDGs 15, 13, and 14, with specific targets and indicators related to invasive alien species, climate resilience, and marine ecosystem protection.
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: weather.com
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