A new global study has found that invasive species cause more severe environmental harm in low- and middle-income countries in the Global South than in wealthier northern countries. The finding challenges earlier assessments that suggested the greatest impacts were in the Global North, and points to unequal capacity to prevent, monitor and manage biological invasions.

Researchers analysed more than 22,000 documented impacts from over 3,300 invasive species across 172 countries. They found average impact severity was 34% higher in the Global South, despite the Global North producing more than twice as many reports; emerging economies faced especially high risks where trade and development increase introductions but governance and management capacity are limited.