Plant invasions in New Zealand: global lessons in prevention, eradication and control

New Zealand's unique experience with non-native plant invasions offers critical global lessons for prevention, eradication, and control. Despite pioneering biosecurity policies—such as the first national permitted plant import list and bans on non-native species sales—the country faces persistent challenges due to uncoordinated efforts and cognitive biases that hinder long-term management success. While New Zealand has achieved limited eradication successes through biological control programs, most mechanical or herbicide treatments in natural areas have failed, reflecting broader global difficulties in managing invasive species. The study underscores the need for proactive strategies, including identifying 'sleeper weeds' likely to become problematic due to climate change, quantifying impacts on cherished values rather than easily measurable ones, and providing accurate projections of invasion trajectories. A shift in mindset is essential to overcome biases that favor intervention over inaction and underestimate the non-linear nature of invasions.

Hulme, P. E. (2020). Plant invasions in New Zealand: global lessons in prevention, eradication and control. Biological Invasions, 22(5), 1539–1562. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-020-02224-6