Non-native species to increase 36% by 2050 as compared to 2005: Study

A study has said that the number of non-native species, particularly insects, arthropods and birds, is expected to see a 36% increase, globally, by 2050 as compared to 2005.

The findings, by an international research team led by Germany’s Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, are published in the journal Global Change Biology.

It predicted the arrival of around 2,500 new alien species in Europe, an increase of 64% for the continent. The lowest relative increase in alien species is expected in Australia.

For the study, the research team developed a mathematical model to calculate for the first time how many more aliens would be expected by 2050, based on estimated sizes of source pools (the species that could end up becoming invasive) and dynamics of historical invasions, under a ‘business-as-usual’ scenario that assumes a continuation of current trends.