The link between invasive alien species and extinction
The link between invasive alien species and extinction
Invasive alien species (IAS) can cause the extinction of a taxon. However, debate continues over the significance of IAS as drivers of extinction globally, the level of threat they pose to endangered species, and whether conservation efforts against IAS should take priority over other factors, such as habitat loss or climate change. We provide new insights from the IUCN Red List, focusing on species classified as extinct or extinct in the wild that are linked exclusively to IAS. Many extinction events are also caused by multiple synergistic threats, including IAS, but the relative contributions of these threats remain uncertain. We suggest using Structural Equation Models (SEMs) to tease out the effects of IAS and other interacting factors on threatened species, to better understand the role of IAS in potential extinctions.
Peh, Kelvin S.-H.
0bd60207-dad8-43fb-a84a-a15e09b024cc
Bird, Zoe
6dc6f4e6-eef6-4061-8403-1a134d2c9eb0
13 February 2026
Peh, Kelvin S.-H.
0bd60207-dad8-43fb-a84a-a15e09b024cc
Bird, Zoe
6dc6f4e6-eef6-4061-8403-1a134d2c9eb0
Peh, Kelvin S.-H. and Bird, Zoe
(2026)
The link between invasive alien species and extinction.
Biosphere, 2 (1).
(doi:10.3390/biosphere2010002).
Abstract
Invasive alien species (IAS) can cause the extinction of a taxon. However, debate continues over the significance of IAS as drivers of extinction globally, the level of threat they pose to endangered species, and whether conservation efforts against IAS should take priority over other factors, such as habitat loss or climate change. We provide new insights from the IUCN Red List, focusing on species classified as extinct or extinct in the wild that are linked exclusively to IAS. Many extinction events are also caused by multiple synergistic threats, including IAS, but the relative contributions of these threats remain uncertain. We suggest using Structural Equation Models (SEMs) to tease out the effects of IAS and other interacting factors on threatened species, to better understand the role of IAS in potential extinctions.
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biosphere-02-00002
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Submitted date: 4 October 2025
Accepted/In Press date: 9 January 2026
Published date: 13 February 2026
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Local EPrints ID: 509458
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/509458
ISSN: 3042-6111
PURE UUID: c237a49d-02db-47eb-9257-def1de8d6339
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Date deposited: 23 Feb 2026 17:52
Last modified: 24 Feb 2026 02:47
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Author:
Zoe Bird
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