As the Arctic warms and human activity in the region increases, the threat of invasive alien plant species displacing native flora has become a pressing concern. The Intergovernmental Panel on Nature (IPBES) identifies such invasions as a significant threat to global biodiversity. Recent research has highlighted the alarming potential for non-native plants to establish themselves in the Arctic, posing a severe risk to the region’s ecological balance.
Researchers have catalogued over 2,500 alien plant species that could potentially thrive in the Arctic’s changing climate. Kristine Bakke Westergaard, an associate professor at the Department of Natural History at the NTNU University Museum, explains, “We found a total of 2,554 species that would find a suitable climatic niche in today’s Arctic.” This revelation underscores the ease with which these species could spread, particularly through human activity.
Human Activity Fuels Spread
The findings suggest that alien species from around the world have the potential to find a niche in the Arctic. Westergaard notes, “With all the human activity in the Arctic now, there are lots of opportunities for these species to get there.” The study, conducted by researchers from the NTNU University Museum and the University of Liverpool, employed a “horizon scan” methodology, examining data from over 51 million occurrences of alien plant species.
First author Tor Henrik Ulsted, who completed his master’s thesis on this topic, highlights the significance of the research, “Our map shows hotspot areas in the Arctic where many alien species can tolerate the climate. The highest number of species are found in the north of Norway.”
Climate Change and Vulnerable Regions
Norway emerges as a high-risk area, with few places in the Arctic remaining untouched by the threat of alien species. Even the remote Svalbard archipelago is not immune, with Westergaard stating, “Even in Svalbard, 86 alien species can find a climatic niche.” As the Arctic continues to warm, the potential for these species to establish themselves increases, further threatening native biodiversity.
“Our long-term goal is to help identify alien species before they become invasive and problematic,” Ulsted said.
The Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre’s expert committees are tasked with assessing the risk of alien species, a process that has historically been challenging. Westergaard points out, “These committees have long found it to be very laborious, almost impossible, to make a list of relevant species that should be assessed as possible new alien species.”
Proactive Measures and Global Initiatives
The new research methodology offers a valuable tool for these committees, enabling them to better assess the ecological risk of alien species in vulnerable areas. This proactive approach aligns with the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to reduce the threat from alien species by halving their introduction and establishment by 2030.
Norway’s action plan against alien organisms, “Combating harmful alien organisms – Action plan 2020–2025,” also supports these efforts. By identifying and managing invasive species early, the plan seeks to protect the region’s unique ecosystems from irreversible damage.
Reference: Ulsted TH, Westergaard KB, Dawson W, Speed JDM (2025) Horizon scanning of potential new alien vascular plant species and their climatic niche space across the Arctic. NeoBiota 104: 1-26. https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.104.165054
As the Arctic faces unprecedented environmental changes, the need for vigilant monitoring and proactive measures becomes ever more critical. The research not only provides a roadmap for identifying potential threats but also underscores the importance of international cooperation in safeguarding the planet’s biodiversity.
