Hunting as a source of alien species: a European review

2018

Invasive alien species (IAS) have been identified as one of the most important direct drivers of biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation and ecosystem service changes. The threats posed by IAS have consequently been addressed through the development of many international policy instruments, guidelines and technical tools. In this context, understanding the pathways of species introductions constitutes a key issue as regards managing and preventing further invasive events. The most common motivation for the introduction of plant and animal species into new areas has by far been the establishment of new food sources. In Europe, hunting is a social and cultural activity in which millions of p…