A new study led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst reveals that non-native plants and animals are spreading at an astonishing rate, 100 times faster than native species. This research underscores the urgent need for human intervention to help native species adapt to climate change.
Non-native plants and animals are expanding their ranges at a rate 100 times faster than native species, according to a new study. This rapid spread, largely driven by human activities, poses a significant threat to native biodiversity, especially as climate change accelerates.
The research, conducted by an international team of scientists led by University of Massachusetts Amherst, focused on comparing the movement speeds of both native and non-native species. Their findings underscore the urgent need for measures to manage and mitigate the impacts of non-native species on ecosystems.
“We know that the numbers of invasive plant species are increasing exponentially worldwide. We also know that plant nurseries are exacerbating the climate-driven spread of invasives and that confronting invasives is one of the best ways to prepare for climate change,” Bethany Bradley, professor of environmental conservation at UMass Amherst and lead author of the study, said in a statement. “What we wanted to find out is how fast both native and non-native species are moving right now, and how far could they go.”
Bradley and her team meticulously analyzed a vast array of previously published studies and public datasets to understand how fast and how far species are moving. They found that land-based species need to move around 3.25 kilometers annually to keep pace with climate change, while marine species require a shift of 2.75 kilometers per year. Shockingly, native species are only managing an average movement of 1.74 kilometers per year.
In stark contrast, non-native species are expanding their ranges by about 35 kilometers per year on their own, and once human facilitation is included, the rate skyrockets to a staggering 1,883 kilometers per year — 1,000 times the rate of native species.
“Essentially, there’s no chance for native species to keep up with climate change without human help,” added Bradley.
The researchers also investigated how far both native and non-native species might spread as climates warm, considering that not all ecosystems provide suitable habitats. While fewer case studies were available for comprehensive analysis, the researchers indicated that non-native species might find more favorable territories to inhabit as climate changes.
“[W]hile this means that non-native species might have more territory to gain with climate change, it also means that they’ve got more territory to lose as some range margins become increasingly unsuitable,” Bradley said.
The study underscores the crucial role humans play in moving species, whether inadvertently through global trade or intentionally through activities like gardening. Bradley emphasized the necessity of considering and implementing assisted migration — intentionally relocating native species to areas where they have a better chance of surviving climate changes.
“It’s really clear that people are very good at moving species, and this is one of the biggest advantages that non-native species have,” added Bradley. “We need to seriously consider and begin implementing assisted migration if our native plants and animals are to stand a chance.”
This groundbreaking research highlights a dire need for proactive measures to protect native species from the dual threats of invasive species and climate change. The findings call for conservation strategies that include human-assisted migration and stricter controls on the spread of non-native species to mitigate their impact on global biodiversity.