Biosecurity Research Articles
Global threat to agriculture from invasive species
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-20-2016
Journal Title
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)
ISSN
Print: 0027-8424 Electronic: 1091-6490
Disciplines
Agricultural Economics | Biosecurity
Abstract
Invasive species present significant threats to global agriculture, although how the magnitude and distribution of the threats vary between countries and regions remains unclear. Here, we present an analysis of almost 1,300 known invasive insect pests and pathogens, calculating the total potential cost of these species invading each of 124 countries of the world, as well as determining which countries present the greatest threat to the rest of the world given their trading partners and incumbent pool of invasive species. We find that countries vary in terms of potential threat from invasive species and also their role as potential sources, with apparently similar countries sometimes varying markedly depending on specifics of agricultural commodities and trade patterns. Overall, the biggest agricultural producers (China and the United States) could experience the greatest absolute cost from further species invasions. However, developing countries, in particular, Sub-Saharan African countries, appear most vulnerable in relative terms. Furthermore, China and the United States represent the greatest potential sources of invasive species for the rest of the world. The analysis reveals considerable scope for ongoing redistribution of known invasive pests and highlights the need for international cooperation to slow their spread.
Recommended Citation
Paini, D R,
Sheppard, A W,
Cook, D C,
and
Thomas, M B.
(2016), Global threat to agriculture from invasive species. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), 113 (27), 7575-7579.
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/bs_research/28
