The report, from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), warns that invasive alien species are one of the greatest threats to biodiversity and that they can severely reduce agricultural yields and impact people and their livelihoods worldwide.

Some key findings:

More than a third of known plant and animal species worldwide are threatened by invasive species. More than 75% of countries that provided feedback for the report said one or more priority protected species—like those threatened with extinction—is threatened by invasive species. These invasive species can lead to declines in some cases—of native populations. Invasive species reduce agricultural yields by at least 5% every year in low- and middle-income countries and cost at least US$65 billion and up to billions per year (excluding costs from health).