From Menace to Market: The Economic Transformation of Invasive Species

Abstract Invasive species, encompassing both plants and animals, are prevalent across much of Europe. The European Union currently lists 88 invasive species, which, lacking natural predators, tend to spread uncontrollably in various regions. While these species may have some positive effects, they predominantly present significant ecological and economic challenges. This paper explores the potential for human intervention as a "natural" predator or consumer of these invasive species. It examines how established companies and innovative startups mainly in the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) are addressing the issue of invasive species, including logistical considerations and the challenges they encounter. The paper also provides practical recommendations for improvement on scientific, practical, economic, and political levels. This study demonstrates that innovative economic business models can enable companies to both mitigate the spread of invasive species and utilize them as valuable resources. However, compared to conventional enterprises in agriculture or animal husbandry, these companies face greater challenges in sourcing such species—primarily due to logistical constraints. Since invasive species are neither cultivated nor bred, they often occur in remote areas and must be hunted or gathered in the wild, which complicates their systematic use.