Management of Invasive Alien Species: Turning Threats into New Opportunities

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) represent a serious and growing threat to biodiversity and, in some cases, to human well-being. It is, therefore, appropriate to adopt preventive and more responsible behavior to reduce the introduction rates, in the most sensitive environments such as protected areas. However, once these species have settled in the new environment, their eradication or elimination becomes particularly difficult and economically expensive. In that framework, the concept of Circular Economy (CE) can offer an opportunity to reconsider IAS as a resource. IAS from something unwanted can be transformed into something advantageous that can be used as new raw materials opening economic possibilities and sustainable development. Examples of the circular economy and bioeconomy are suggested to exploit invasive species sustainably, thus guaranteeing both correct environmental management and socio-economic well-being.