Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the threat posed by the invasive species prickly pear (刺果瓜) to the bird habitats along the banks of the North Canal in Tongzhou District, Beijing, and the subsequent actions taken by local authorities to address this ecological issue [1] Group 1: Invasive Species Identification and Impact - The prickly pear was identified as an invasive species listed in the "List of Invasive Alien Species in China's Natural Ecosystems," which can lead to the decline of local plant communities and nutrient imbalance in the soil, adversely affecting the survival environment of birds and other animals [1] - Initial investigations revealed that the invasion of prickly pear had severely impacted the growth of native plants and damaged bird habitats along the North Canal, causing substantial harm to the ecological environment of the region [1] Group 2: Response and Remediation Efforts - The local procuratorate utilized satellite remote sensing technology to accurately determine the coverage area of prickly pear, which was found to have invaded a significant area [1] - Following the identification of the issue, the procuratorate issued recommendations to relevant administrative bodies, leading to a collaborative meeting involving various departments to formulate a remediation plan [1] - A total of 174.75 acres of prickly pear were completely removed, and a regular inspection mechanism was established to enhance dynamic monitoring of key areas to prevent future invasions of alien species [1]

Core Insights - The research conducted by Professor Zhou Xuhui's team at Northeast Forestry University reveals the dynamic evolution of the impact of biological invasions on terrestrial ecosystems, challenging traditional understandings and providing a new perspective for addressing the global biological invasion crisis [1][2] Group 1: Research Findings - The study fills a gap in understanding by distinguishing between "successful species invasion" and "ecological impact," and it quantifies key factors influencing changes in ecosystems [1] - The research team analyzed data from 775 global studies, encompassing over 2,200 effect values, focusing on the impacts of invasive plants, animals, and microorganisms on 15 key ecosystem attributes [1] Group 2: Key Dynamic Factors - The core dynamic factor identified for predicting the impact of biological invasions is the duration of species presence after invasion, which surpasses traditional factors such as local species diversity and latitude [2] - The study reveals that different parts of the ecosystem respond distinctly to invasions, with soil showing self-restorative properties, while local plant diversity continues to suffer long-term negative effects as the duration of invasive species presence increases [2] Group 3: Implications for Management - The findings have significant implications for global invasive species management, highlighting the need for long-term studies in southern regions and functional trait research on animal and microbial invasions [2] - Researchers call for international collaboration to establish a global monitoring network for the impacts of biological invasions, advocating for a shift from descriptive to predictive science in related research [2]

Core Viewpoint - The research published in Science reveals the dynamic evolution of the impacts of biological invasions on terrestrial ecosystems, identifying "residence time" as a core dynamic factor predicting these impacts [1][4]. Group 1: Research Findings - The study analyzed 775 global studies on invasive species, covering 2,223 effect sizes related to the impacts of plants, animals, and microorganisms on 15 key ecosystem properties, creating the most comprehensive "invasion ecological impact database" to date [3]. - Invasive plants consistently reduce local plant diversity and contribute to increased greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂, N₂O), which are identified as the most significant negative impacts [4]. - Contrary to previous studies, local plant diversity is not a strong predictor of the impact of invasive plants; instead, the residence time of invasive species is crucial—longer residence times lead to greater declines in local plant diversity [4][6]. Group 2: Implications for Ecosystem Management - Local plant species diversity is sensitive to species invasions and shows the weakest resistance, thus should be prioritized for protection [6]. - The non-biological properties of soil become more variable with ongoing species invasions and may naturally recover, indicating that immediate intervention may not be necessary [6].

Core Insights - The study published in the journal "Nature Ecology & Evolution" indicates that the global costs of invasive species may be significantly underestimated, with an estimated annual cost of around $35 billion over the past 60 years, comparable to the costs associated with extreme weather events caused by climate change [1][2] Group 1: Economic Impact of Invasive Species - The research is based on data from 162 invasive species, revealing that the global economic costs of specific invasive species could be as much as 1646% higher than previously thought [1] - The total estimated costs over the past 60 years are highest in Europe, amounting to approximately $1.584 trillion, followed by North America at $226 billion and Asia at $182 billion [2] Group 2: Categories of Invasive Species Costs - Invasive plants, such as water hyacinth and zebra mussels, account for the highest estimated costs over the past 60 years, totaling approximately $926.38 billion [2] - The second and third highest cost categories are arthropods at $830.29 billion and mammals at $263.35 billion, respectively [2] Group 3: Need for Management Strategies - The authors emphasize the necessity for regional management strategies and policies to mitigate the impacts of global invasive species, highlighting the importance of understanding the economic costs at a national scale [2]