Damage caused by invasive species is underestimated

In a broad-based survey, researchers from Goethe University and the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center in Frankfurt have investigated the views and perceptions of stakeholders in Germany on the topic of invasive species. The results of the study, published in the journal “Biological Invasions”, show that all interest groups surveyed – from environmental protection organizations to farmers – perceive the spread of invasive species as a problem and have a high level of interest in the topic. However, the economic damage caused by invasive species in Germany each year and their diversity were significantly underestimated by all groups.