Net Positive or Neutral Benefits Dominate among Nonnative Vertebrates

Biological invasions have positive, negative, or neutral outcomes for people and nature1-5. Identifying the frequency of net impacts (positive vs negative impacts) is essential for evaluating the overall impacts of invasions and informs the nuancing of policies and management of nonnative species. Currently, scholars are debating whether the frequency of positive or negative impacts dominates among nonnative species1,6-11. However, a larger-scale, systematic investigation of the frequency of net impacts is lacking. We characterized the frequency of net impacts by comparing export benefits with invasion costs for nonnative vertebrates across export countries from 2000 to 2019. Net positive benefits with small to middle values (2017 US$) that are underestimated or neutral benefits dominate across species, whereas net negative incomes, usually with large values, constitute a minority (10%). The overall net income from vertebrate invasions was very negative, and no temporal trend in net income was identified. Most undeveloped countries received small to moderate benefits, whereas developed countries incurred tremendous negative incomes. These results contribute to a more balanced understanding of net impacts of vertebrate invasions. Management should be focused on species with invasion costs and areas where the costs incurred, and more resources should be invested in estimating and monitoring costs.<br>Dataset 1: Non-native species identified from CITES Trade Database (CITES non-native species) or from LEMIS database (unlisted non-native species)Dataset 2: The distribution of invasion costs (2017 US$) among species and countries from 2000-2019 based on the updated InvaCost.Dataset 3: Non-native species: The non-native species that are originating from other countries by geographical origin.Dataset 4: Match taxon unit: A higher taxon unit used for matching the combination of year species term/unit if sample size of the species &lt;10 entries. Name of LEMIS taxon. Year+species+Term/unit: the combinations of year species term/unit for matching. Median unit price: Median unit price is used for species or a higher taxon unit.