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. 2018 Apr 17;16(4):e2005568.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2005568. eCollection 2018 Apr.

Do non-native species contribute to biodiversity?

Martin A Schlaepfer  1
Affiliations

Do non-native species contribute to biodiversity?

Martin A Schlaepfer. PLoS Biol. .

Abstract

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) emphasises the role of biodiversity in delivering benefits essential for all people and, as a result, seeks to safeguard all life-forms. The indices that are used to measure progress towards international conservation and sustainability goals, however, focus solely on the 'native' component of biodiversity. A subset of non-native species can cause undesirable economic, social, or biological effects. But non-native species also contribute to regional biodiversity (species richness and biotic interactions) and ecosystem services. In some regions and cities, non-native species make up more than half of all species. Currently, the contributions of these species to biodiversity and ecosystem services are overlooked. Here, I argue that biodiversity and sustainability indices should include all species. This is not only consistent with definitions of biodiversity but also will promote the idea that long-term, sustainable, human well-being is intricately tied to benefits derived from nature.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author has declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Left: A bow hunter on the Big Island of Hawaii with his catch, a non-native mouflon (feral sheep, Aries sp.). Mouflon threaten native plant species that have not evolved to resist mammalian herbivory. Right: Introduced goldenrod (Solidago gigantea) population near the city of Geneva, Switzerland. Goldenrod displaces native plants on a local scale and thus is considered invasive in Switzerland. But it is also appreciated for its ornamental and medicinal properties, and it serves as a resource for insects (hymenoptera and diptera, as seen in photograph). Current biodiversity indices and assessments capture the negative aspects of such non-native species (i.e., their potential for harm) but not their contributions to biodiversity (increase in regional species richness, interaction with other species) nor the ecosystem services (provisioning, regulating, cultural, supporting) that are socially and biologically relevant. Photos by author.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • On the importance of monitoring and valuing all forms of biodiversity.
    Schlaepfer MA. Schlaepfer MA. PLoS Biol. 2018 Nov 13;16(11):e3000039. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000039. eCollection 2018 Nov. PLoS Biol. 2018. PMID: 30422973 Free PMC article.
  • Biodiversity assessments: Origin matters.
    Pauchard A, Meyerson LA, Bacher S, Blackburn TM, Brundu G, Cadotte MW, Courchamp F, Essl F, Genovesi P, Haider S, Holmes ND, Hulme PE, Jeschke JM, Lockwood JL, Novoa A, Nuñez MA, Peltzer DA, Pyšek P, Richardson DM, Simberloff D, Smith K, van Wilgen BW, Vilà M, Wilson JRU, Winter M, Zenni RD. Pauchard A, et al. PLoS Biol. 2018 Nov 13;16(11):e2006686. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2006686. eCollection 2018 Nov. PLoS Biol. 2018. PMID: 30422976 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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