21 February 2013: The European Environment Agency (EEA) has released two reports on invasive species. The first, titled “The impacts of invasive alien species in Europe,” discusses the effects and spread of some species. The second, titled “Invasive alien species indicators in Europe,” looks at the methodology for collecting the data.

The first report notes, through 28 dedicated species accounts, that invasive species are largely introduced for horticulture, but also for other reasons including farming, hunting and fishing, or as pets. Trade and tourism can compound the effects of their diffusion as well as climate change, which allows for some species to spread more easily.

According to the report on indicators, invasives pose a threat to humans, and the publication cites how the Asian tiger mosquito has been linked to more than 20 diseases, including yellow fever and chikungunya fever. Changing landscapes are also viewed as a result of invasive alien species, with pollination carried out by honeybees affected by invasives such as the yellow-legged hornet, native to Asia.

The report on indicators also highlights the high economic costs of invasive alien species. It estimates that they cost Europe around €12 billion per year, by damaging crops or fouling water filtration plants and water cooling reservoirs of power plants. [EEA Press Release] [Publication: The Impacts of Invasive Alien Species in Europe] [Publication: Invasive Alien Species Indicators in Europe – a review of Streamlining European Biodiversity (SEBI) Indicator 10]