Sustainability Nexus AID: biological invasions

Biological invasions, identified as one of the primary drivers of ecosystem change, present significant threats to biodiversity, economies, and human health. Globally, with 37,000 naturalized species and an annual cost of approximately 423 billion USD, addressing the issue of invasive species is increasingly urgent. This paper underscores the necessity of a transdisciplinary, global approach to preventing, managing, and eradicating invasive species. Our focus is on integrating the Nexus approach within the United Nations University (UNU) Sustainability Nexus AID (Analytics, Informatics and Data) Programme, which aligns with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This programme, currently encompassing various modules focused on different problems, leverages a range of AID tools to support policy, research, and management strategies. In the Biological Invasions module, we have curated a repository of 56 AID tools, categorized into six areas: Databases and Data Sources; Mapping, Monitoring, and Citizen Science Tools; Modeling and Prediction; Impact and Risk Assessment; Management and Control; and Research and Education. We discuss the utilities of these tools, their pivotal role in informed decision-making, and strategies for enhancing their adoption, functionality, and usability, including expanding documentation and user guidance into relevant local and official UN languages. The potential of these tools to bridge the science-policy gap and their crucial role in combating biological invasions are highlighted. Drawing a parallel to the COVID-19 pandemic, we emphasize the crucial need for proactive stakeholder engagement and international collaboration to effectively address this pressing environmental challenge.