InvaSyn

Context

Human activities are moving species around the world at an unprecedented rate. Most introduced species cause no harm, but a small proportion become invasive, spreading rapidly and damaging biodiversity, ecosystems, economies and human well-being. As a result, invasive species are now recognised as one of the main global drivers of biodiversity loss. Managing biological invasions is a major societal challenge, yet predicting which species will become invasive, and where, remains extremely difficult. Invasions are highly context-dependent, influenced by species traits, environmental conditions and humans. The InvaSyn project proposes a new approach to managing biological invasions based on identifying recurring ‘invasion syndromes’. By integrating ecological, social and economic information at a global scale, the project aims to develop practical, evidence-based strategies to support more effective responses to biological invasions.

Main objectives

• Group invasion events into shared ‘invasion syndromes’ based on similar causes, impacts and management needs.
• Collaborate with policymakers, managers, NGOs and local communities to improve invasive species policies and management.

Main activities

• Build a comprehensive global database on plant invasions, integrating ecological, social and economic information.
• Use machine learning to identify patterns and classify invasion events into distinct invasion syndromes.
• Hold workshops with policymakers, practitioners and communities to validate results and incorporate practical knowledge.
• Evaluate how the invasion syndromes approach can be incorporated into existing policies.
• Design tailored management options for each identified invasion syndrome.
• Share data and tools openly and communicate results through scientific and outreach activities.

By shifting the focus from individual invasions to broader invasion contexts, InvaSyn will help:

• make invasive species management more efficient and cost-effective;
• improve cooperation between scientists, policymakers and practitioners;
• enable proactive and effective responses to biological invasions.