Invasions by alien animal species and global warming a ‘deadly duo’, warn scientists

Invasions by alien animal species and global warming form a “deadly duo” worldwide, scientists have warned, with the march of Argentine ants in the Britain a new example.

The UK public are being asked to be on alert for invaders such as the raccoon dog and Asian hornet, as eradication can be near impossible after a species becomes established.

But it’s not just in Britain. As trade and human travel has become globalised many thousands of species have crossed oceans or mountain ranges and become established in new regions, with some causing “invasional meltdown” and over a trillion of dollars of damage a year.

Recent research shows that ever more animals and plants are finding their way to foreign lands and that invasive species are a “primary threat” to economies, human wellbeing and wildlife.

Scientists from around the world are gathering this week in Durham, UK, to assess the issue. Professor Rob Colautti of Queens University in Canada warned: “There are very clear economic and human health consequences.”

The combination of invasive alien species and climate change was a “deadly duo”, said Prof Helen Roy, at the UK’s Centre for Ecology and Hydrology: “Changing climate might facilitate the establishment of some species that otherwise might not have been able to establish.”

“For example, the Argentine ant is a species that we know has some indoor populations in London [and elsewhere], but in the last couple of years we have seen those indoor populations spread outdoors,” she said. “A little bit more climate warming for the UK and we could see the Argentine ant settling in very well.”