What's the economic cost of invasive species?
Written by
Kiana Okafor
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Invasive species cause significant economic losses of more than $120 billion annually throughout the United States. *Zebra Mussels* have a substantial financial cost, and too much of it is unknown; however, they are estimated to cost roughly $1 billion annually in repairs caused by their clogging of water lines and power plant systems. *Feral swine* cost $2.5 billion in damages to crops through their rooting and feeding activity, and *kudzu* treatment will cost $500 million for eradication efforts over 7 million acres due to both its investment as a cash crop and its ability to smother native vegetation and structures.
Infrastructure Damage
- Zebra Mussels: $1B annual pipe/equipment corrosion
- Emerald Ash Borer: $1.3B urban tree replacement costs
- Asian Carp: $300M boat motor/watercraft damage
- Prevention: $25M saved per early detection case
Agricultural Losses
- Feral swine: $2.5B crop destruction nationwide
- Mediterranean Fruit Fly: $300M citrus industry quarantine
- Leafy Spurge: $144M cattle grazing land degradation
- Control savings: $10 return per $1 prevention spending
Ecosystem Management
- Kudzu: $500M control across 7M southeastern acres
- Water Hyacinth: $100M annual aquatic vegetation removal
- Cheatgrass: $40M wildfire restoration in western states
- Public health: $20M Lyme disease treatment from tick hosts
While conducting Mississippi River conservation work, I observed Zebra Mussel colonies that were causing a 60% reduction in water intake efficiency at a single power plant that had just spent $4 million in unplanned maintenance. Ultimately, these costs will be reflected in the utility bills for the communities, demonstrating the financial impact of an invasion on everyone.
The cost-effectiveness of prevention approaches is significantly better than that of control measures. It is estimated that every dollar spent on boat inspection stations saves $25 or more in damages. EDDMapS public reporting has helped prevent approximately $120 million in agricultural losses each year by providing early notification of agricultural pests. I have seen the F. ca. fruit fly quarantine program in California, and how it helps to prevent losses of around $300 million each year.
Your actions directly alleviated these economic burdens. For instance, cleaning boats between waterways will help reduce the spread of Zebra Mussels. Reporting feral swine through the newly launched Squeal on Pigs program will help protect your farm. Choosing to incorporate native plants into your gardens, yards, and other spaces will help avoid the accrued costs of managing invasive species, such as Kudzu, in the future. Decisions made at the individual level have, and will continue to, save billions of dollars to help preserve ecosystems and economies in the long run.
Read the full article: Comprehensive Invasive Species List
