Chapter 02 · Nature, land & waterBiodiversity & Nature
Invasive alien species
Definition
An invasive alien species is a non-native species that spreads and causes, or is likely to cause, harm to ecosystems, species, economies or human wellbeing.
References
This reference provides supporting context for how “Invasive alien species” is defined and used.
Overview
What it means in practice
Invasive alien species should be read as a biodiversity and nature term. Its meaning depends on the ecosystem, geography, baseline, species or metric being used.
In practice, users should state the boundary, location, baseline and evidence source. That keeps invasive alien species specific enough for review without overstating certainty.
Why it matters
Invasive alien species matters because nature language can compress complex ecological conditions into a simple phrase. Clear wording helps readers understand whether the term describes status, pressure, response, target or measured outcome.
Common misconception
A common error is to use Invasive alien species without naming the ecosystem, species, geography or baseline. Those details are what make the term reviewable.
Review questions
What place, boundary or baseline gives the term meaning? What evidence supports it? What uncertainty or limitation would change the reader's interpretation?
How it is used
Land managers, scientists, companies, governments and affected communities use “Invasive alien species” in land-use planning, biodiversity assessment, water management, restoration, sourcing and conservation decisions.
In each case, the user should state the location, ecosystem or resource boundary, baseline, timeframe, indicators and affected rights-holders; otherwise, the same term may be applied to materially different situations. In this context, it refers to a non-native species that spreads and causes, or is likely to cause, harm to ecosystems, species, economies or human wellbeing.