The Link Between Invasive Alien Species and Extinction

Invasive alien species (IAS) can cause the extinction of a taxon. However, debate continues over the significance of IAS as drivers of extinction globally, the level of threat they pose to endangered species, and whether conservation efforts against IAS should take priority over other factors, such as habitat loss or climate change. We provide new insights from the IUCN Red List, focusing on species classified as extinct or extinct in the wild that are linked exclusively to IAS. Many extinction events are also caused by multiple synergistic threats, including IAS, but the relative contributions of these threats remain uncertain. We suggest using Structural Equation Models (SEMs) to tease out the effects of IAS and other interacting factors on threatened species, to better understand the role of IAS in potential extinctions.