Do non-native species contribute to biodiversity?

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) aims to safeguard all life-forms, but current progress indices focus only on native species.
• Non-native species can have negative impacts but also contribute significantly to regional biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• In many urban and regional areas, non-native species constitute over half of the total species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To argue for the inclusion of all species in biodiversity and sustainability indices.
• To highlight the overlooked contributions of non-native species to biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• To align conservation metrics with a comprehensive understanding of biodiversity and its benefits.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis and argumentation based on existing definitions of biodiversity.
• Review of the ecological roles and contributions of non-native species.
• Critique of current biodiversity and sustainability indices.

Main Results:

• Current indices fail to account for the full spectrum of biodiversity by excluding non-native species.
• Non-native species enhance species richness, biotic interactions, and ecosystem services in many regions.
• Excluding non-native species leads to an incomplete assessment of conservation progress and nature's benefits.

Conclusions:

• Biodiversity and sustainability indices must incorporate all species to accurately reflect ecological reality.
• Recognizing the contributions of non-native species is essential for effective conservation and sustainable development.
• Integrating all species into indices supports the understanding that human well-being is linked to the benefits derived from all nature.