Why social dimension matters dealing with invasive alien species?
Research demonstrates that people and communities often hold mixed views on invasive alien species (IAS), recognising both benefits and harms. Some species support livelihoods or provide resources, creating disagreement whether and how they should be managed.
Values and risk perception frequently differ between policymakers and the public, with society tending to merge ecological, social, and economic impacts into a single “societal” dimension, whereas regulators usually treat them separately.
A 2026 review led by the JRC EASIN team argues that IAS risk assessments are often missing a critical element: people. Although biological invasions are driven and shaped by human activity, most current risk tools focus almost entirely on ecological data and overlook the social dynamics that influence species spread and the success of management actions.
How to prevent conflicts and favour acceptance of management measures
Conflicts routinely arise around IAS management because of mismatching values, perceived threats to livelihoods, or distrust of authorities. Acceptance of control measures varies widely among stakeholder groups, especially when lethal methods are involved. Reviewed literature stress that better communication is essential for cooperation and effective action.
What the review recommends
Authors call for a more integrated, socially informed risk analysis that includes:
Across the literature, a shared message emerges: IAS are a socio ecological problem. As trade and climate change accelerate species’ movement, integrating human perception and behaviour into risk analysis is essential for predicting threats and designing management strategies that people will support.
You can read the full article here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10530-026-03758-x