Editing Invasive species (section)

== Control, eradication, and study ==
Humans are versatile enough to remediate adverse effects of species invasions.<ref>{{cite book |isbn=978-0-8166-9329-0 |title=Making Other Worlds Possible: Performing Diverse Economies |last1=Roelvink |first1=Gerda |last2=Martin |first2=Kevin St |last3=Gibson-Graham |first3=J. K. |year=2015 |publisher=University of Minnesota Press }}</ref><ref name="root"/><ref name="Garrido">{{cite journal  |last1=Garrido-Pérez |first1=Edgardo I. |last2=Tella Ruiz |first2=David |date=2016 |title=Homo sapiens (Primates: Hominidae): ¿una especie invasora o aún peor? Un reto para potenciar la Ecología y la Biología de la conservación |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317083729 |journal=Puente Biológico |volume=8 |pages=43–55}}
<br/>Translated as {{cite web |last1=Garrido-Pérez |first1=Edgardo I. |last2=Tella Ruiz |first2=David |date=2016 |title=''Homo sapiens'' (Primates: Hominidae): an invasive species or even worse? A challenge for strengthening ecology and conservation biology |via=ResearchGate |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319234497 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-date=June 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611120711/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319234497_Homo_sapiens_Primates_Hominidae_an_invasive_species_or_even_worse_A_challenge_for_strengthening_ecology_and_conservation_biology_Translated_from_Spanish |url-status=live }}</ref> The public is motivated by invasive species that impact their local area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://depts.washington.edu/oldenlab/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Invasive-Species-Survey_Hakam_August2016.pdf#page=8 |title=Invasive Species: Public Awareness and Education |last=Hakam |first=Lara |date=February 2013 |website=University of Washington  |access-date=September 30, 2020 |archive-date=November 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105154129/http://depts.washington.edu/oldenlab/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Invasive-Species-Survey_Hakam_August2016.pdf#page=8 |url-status=live }}</ref> 
The control of alien species populations is important in the conservation of biodiversity in natural ecosystem. One of the most promising methods for controlling alien species is genetic.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Makhrov |first1=A. A. |last2=Karabanov |first2=D. P. |last3=Koduhova |first3=Yu. V. |title=Genetic methods for the control of alien species |journal=Russian Journal of Biological Invasions |date=July 2014 |volume=5 |issue=3 |pages=194–202 |doi=10.1134/S2075111714030096 |bibcode=2014RuJBI...5..194M |s2cid=256073288 }}</ref>

=== <span class="anchor" id="Cargo inspection"></span><span class="anchor" id="Quarantine"></span> Cargo inspection and quarantine ===
The original motivation was to protect against [[agricultural pest]]s while still allowing the export of agricultural products. In 1994 the first set of global standards were agreed to, including the [[Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures]] (SPS Agreement). These are overseen by the [[World Trade Organization]]. The [[International Maritime Organization]] oversees the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (the [[Ballast Water Management Convention]]). Although primarily targeted at other, more general environmental concerns, the [[Convention on Biological Diversity]] does specify some steps that its members should take to control invasive species. The CBD is the most significant international agreement on the environmental consequences of invasive species; most such measures are voluntary and unspecific.<ref name="Lodge-et-al-2016">{{cite journal |last1=Lodge |first1=David M. |last2=Simonin |first2=Paul W. |last3=Burgiel |first3=Stanley W. |last4=Keller |first4=Reuben P. |last5=Bossenbroek |first5=Jonathan M. |last6=Jerde |first6=Christopher L. |last7=Kramer |first7=Andrew M. |last8=Rutherford |first8=Edward S. |last9=Barnes |first9=Matthew A. |last10=Wittmann |first10=Marion E. |last11=Chadderton |first11=W. Lindsay |last12=Apriesnig |first12=Jenny L. |display-authors=6 |title=Risk Analysis and Bioeconomics of Invasive Species to Inform Policy and Management |journal=Annual Review of Environment and Resources |date=1 November 2016 |volume=41 |issue=1 |pages=453–488 |doi=10.1146/annurev-environ-110615-085532 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

=== Slowing spread ===
[[Firefighter]]s are becoming responsible for decontamination of their own equipment, public water equipment, and private water equipment, due to the risk of aquatic invasive species transfer.<ref name="Sea-Grant-NY">{{cite web |url=http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Public-Works/Forms-Documents/Water-Resources/Invasive-Mussels/NY-Fire-Control-Equipment.pdf |title=Zebra Mussels and Fire Control Equipment |last=O'Neill, Jr. |first=Charles R. |date=2002 |publisher=[[National Sea Grant College Program|Sea Grant]] |place=[[SUNY College at Brockport]] |access-date=May 23, 2021 |archive-date=November 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105212840/https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Public-Works/Forms-Documents/Water-Resources/Invasive-Mussels/NY-Fire-Control-Equipment.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> In the United States this is especially a concern for [[wildfire suppression|wildland firefighters]] because [[quagga mussel|quagga]] and [[zebra mussel|zebra]] mussel invasion and wildfires co-occur in the American West.<ref name="wildland-firefight-NPR">{{cite web |last=Ouellet |first=Nicky |date=2017-08-23 |title=Wildland Firefighters Try to Combat Spread of Invasive Species |url=http://www.npr.org/2017/08/23/545617315/wildland-firefighters-try-to-combat-spread-of-invasive-species |access-date=2021-05-23 |archive-date=June 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613005731/https://www.npr.org/2017/08/23/545617315/wildland-firefighters-try-to-combat-spread-of-invasive-species |url-status=live |publisher=[[NPR]] |work=[[All Things Considered]] }}</ref><ref name="Montana-firefight-MtPR">{{cite news |last=Ouellet |first=Nicky |title=How Montana Is Fighting Invasive Hitchhikers On Firefighting Aircraft |website=[[Montana Public Radio]] |date=2017-07-27 |url=http://www.mtpr.org/post/how-montana-fighting-invasive-hitchhikers-firefighting-aircraft |access-date=2021-05-23 |archive-date=May 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523185157/https://www.mtpr.org/post/how-montana-fighting-invasive-hitchhikers-firefighting-aircraft |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NWCG">{{cite web |url=http://www.nwcg.gov/sites/default/files/publications/pms444.pdf |title=Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations |date=January 2017 |author=[[National Wildfire Coordinating Group]] |access-date=May 23, 2021 |archive-date=April 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419034257/https://www.nwcg.gov/sites/default/files/publications/pms444.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Mt-DNRC">{{cite web |url=http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/forestry/docs/fire-and-aviation/2018-nrcg-how-to-guide_aquatic-invasive-species_final.pdf |date=June 11, 2018 |title=Decontaminating Firefighting Equipment to Reduce the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species |author=[[National Wildfire Coordinating Group]] |access-date=May 23, 2021 |archive-date=April 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428072947/http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/forestry/docs/fire-and-aviation/2018-nrcg-how-to-guide_aquatic-invasive-species_final.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Reestablishing species ===
[[File:Takahe and chick.jpg|thumb|[[Takahē]] have bred after translocation to [[island restoration|restored islands]], like these on [[Kapiti Island]], off New Zealand.]]

[[Island restoration]] deals with the eradication of invasive species on islands. A 2019 study suggests that if eradications of invasive animals were conducted on just 169 islands, the survival prospects of 9.4% of the Earth's most highly threatened terrestrial insular vertebrates would be improved.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Holmes |first1=Nick |date=March 27, 2019 |title=Globally important islands where eradicating invasive mammals will benefit highly threatened vertebrates |journal=[[PLOS ONE]] |volume=14 |issue=3 |pages=e0212128 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0212128 |pmid=30917126 |pmc=6436766 |bibcode=2019PLoSO..1412128H |doi-access=free }}</ref>

Invasive vertebrate eradication on islands aligns with United Nations [[Sustainable Development Goal 15]] and associated targets.<ref name="de WitZilliacus2020">{{cite journal |last1=de Wit |first1=Luz A. |last2=Zilliacus |first2=Kelly M. |last3=Quadri |first3=Paulo |last4=Will |first4=David |last5=Grima |first5=Nelson |last6=Spatz |first6=Dena |last7=Holmes |first7=Nick |last8=Tershy |first8=Bernie |last9=Howald |first9=Gregg R. |last10=Croll |first10=Donald A. |display-authors=6 |title=Invasive vertebrate eradications on islands as a tool for implementing global Sustainable Development Goals |journal=Environmental Conservation |date=September 2020 |volume=47 |issue=3 |pages=139–148 |doi=10.1017/S0376892920000211 |bibcode=2020EnvCo..47..139D |s2cid=221990256 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Pursuing Sustainable Development for Island Communities by Removing Invasive Species |url=https://www.islandconservation.org/sustainable-development-communities-removing-invasive-species/ |publisher=Island Conservation |access-date=13 August 2020 |date=13 August 2020 |archive-date=September 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926042621/https://www.islandconservation.org/sustainable-development-communities-removing-invasive-species/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Rodent]]s were carried to [[South Georgia Island |South Georgia]], an island in the southern Atlantic Ocean with no permanent inhabitants, in the 18th century by sealing and whaling ships. They soon wrought havoc on the island's bird population, eating eggs and attacking chicks. In 2018, the South Georgia Island was declared free of invasive rodents after a multi-year  extermination effort. Bird populations have rebounded, including the [[South Georgia pipit]] and [[South Georgia pintail]], both endemic to the island.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.science.org/content/article/rat-begone-record-eradication-effort-rids-sub-antarctic-island-invasive-rodents |title=Rat begone: Record eradication effort rids sub-Antarctic island of invasive rodents |last=Warren |first=Matt |date=May 8, 2018 |work=Science |access-date=May 9, 2018 |archive-date=May 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509035618/http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/05/rat-begone-record-eradication-effort-rids-sub-antarctic-island-invasive-rodents |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/how-to-exterminate-rats-on-an-island |title=The Intrepid Rat-Sniffing Terriers of South Georgia Island |date=May 17, 2018 |author=Hester, Jessica Leight |work=[[Atlas Obscura]] |access-date=June 6, 2018 |archive-date=May 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522041931/https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/how-to-exterminate-rats-on-an-island |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Taxon substitution ===
[[File:Aldabra Giant Tortoise, Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve, Mauritius.JPG|thumb|The [[Aldabra giant tortoise]] has helped to restore ecological equilibrium on two islets off Mauritius, including the [[Île aux Aigrettes]] (pictured). ]]

Non-native species can be introduced to fill an ecological engineering role that previously was performed by a native species now extinct. The procedure is known as taxon substitution.<ref name=potential/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110211095555.htm |title=Invasive plants can create positive ecological change |work=Science Daily |date=February 14, 2011 |quote="Invasive species could fill niches in degraded ecosystems and help restore native biodiversity...." |access-date=June 22, 2017 |archive-date=May 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525102601/https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110211095555.htm |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Searcy |first1=Christopher A. |last2=Rollins |first2=Hilary B. |last3=Shaffer |first3=H. Bradley |title=Ecological equivalency as a tool for endangered species management |year=2016 |journal=[[Ecological Applications]] |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=94–103 |pmid=27039512 |doi=10.1890/14-1674 |doi-access=free|bibcode=2016EcoAp..26...94S }}</ref> On many islands, tortoise extinction has resulted in dysfunctional ecosystems with respect to seed dispersal and herbivory. On the offshore islets of [[Mauritius]], tortoises now extinct had served as the keystone herbivores. Introduction of the non-native [[Aldabra giant tortoise]]s on two islets in 2000 and 2007 has begun to restore ecological equilibrium. The introduced tortoises are dispersing seeds of several native plants and are selectively grazing invasive plant species. Grazing and browsing are expected to replace ongoing intensive manual weeding, and the introduced tortoises are already breeding.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hansen |first1=Dennis M. |last2=Donlan |first2=C. Josh |last3=Griffiths |first3=Christine J. |last4=Campbell |first4=Karl J. |title=Ecological history and latent conservation potential: Large and giant tortoises as a model for taxon substitutions |year=2010 |journal=[[Ecography]] |volume=33 |issue=2 |pages=272–284 |doi=10.1111/j.1600-0587.2010.06305.x |doi-access=free|bibcode=2010Ecogr..33..272H }}</ref>

=== By using them as food ===
{{further|List of edible invasive species}}

The practice of eating invasive species to reduce their populations has been explored. In 2005 Chef [[Bun Lai]] of [[Miya's]] Sushi in [[New Haven, Connecticut]] created the first menu dedicated to invasive species. At that time, half the items on the menu were conceptual because those invasive species were not yet commercially available.<ref name=r1>{{cite news |title=The Invasivore's Dilemma |url=https://www.outsideonline.com/1922351/invasivores-dilemma |access-date=May 28, 2019 |magazine=Outside |last=Jacobsen |first=Rowan |date=March 24, 2014 |archive-date=May 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528211949/https://www.outsideonline.com/1922351/invasivores-dilemma |url-status=live}}</ref> By 2013, Miya's offered invasive aquatic species such as Chesapeake [[blue catfish]], Florida [[lionfish]], Kentucky [[silver carp]], Georgia [[cannonball jellyfish]], and invasive plants such as [[Japanese knotweed]] and [[autumn olive]].<ref>{{cite journal |title=Invasive Species Menu of a World-Class Chef |journal=[[Scientific American]] |volume=309 |issue=3 |pages=40–43 |date=September 1, 2013 |last=Lai |first=Bun |doi=10.1038/scientificamerican0913-40 |pmid=24003552 |bibcode=2013SciAm.309c..40L}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/indulge-invasive-species-restaurants-across-country-180957899/ |title=Bite Back Against Invasive Species at Your Next Meal |author=Billock, Jennifer |work=Smithsonian Magazine |date=February 9, 2016 |access-date=May 28, 2019 |archive-date=March 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322193509/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/indulge-invasive-species-restaurants-across-country-180957899/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-we-really-eat-invasive-species-into-submission/?redirect=1 |title=Can We Really Eat Invasive Species into Submission? |work=Scientific American |author=Snyder, Michael |date=May 19, 2017 |access-date=May 28, 2019 |archive-date=August 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801204428/https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-we-really-eat-invasive-species-into-submission/?redirect=1 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kolbert |first=Elizabeth |date=2 December 2012 |title=Alien Entrées |work=New Yorker |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2012/12/10/alien-entrees |url-status=live |access-date=13 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018202041/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2012/12/10/alien-entrees |archive-date=18 October 2019}}</ref> [[Joe Roman]], a [[Harvard]] and [[University of Vermont]] conservation biologist and recipient of the [[Rachel Carson]] Environmental award, runs a website named "Eat The Invaders".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bio |url=http://www.joeroman.com/new/bio/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528213031/http://www.joeroman.com/bio/ |archive-date=28 May 2019 |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=Joe Roman |date=March 12, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Eat The Invaders — Fighting Invasive Species, One Bite At A Time! |url=http://eattheinvaders.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519015542/http://eattheinvaders.org/ |archive-date=19 May 2019 |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=eattheinvaders.org}}</ref><ref name=r1/> In the 21st century, organizations including Reef Environmental Educational Foundation and the Institute for Applied Ecology have published cookbooks and recipes using invasive species as ingredients.<ref>{{cite book |author=Parks |first1=Mary |url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44139470-the-green-crab-cookbook |title=The Green Crab Cookbook |last2=Thanh |first2=Thai |publisher=Green Crab R&d |year=2019 |isbn=9780578427942 |access-date=May 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004001822/https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44139470-the-green-crab-cookbook |archive-date=October 4, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.reef.org/products/lionfish-cookbook-2nd-edition |title=Lionfish Cookbook 2nd Edition &#124; Reef Environmental Education Foundation |website=www.reef.org |access-date=May 28, 2019 |archive-date=May 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528212729/https://www.reef.org/products/lionfish-cookbook-2nd-edition |url-status=live}}</ref> Invasive plant species have been explored as a sustainable source of beneficial phytochemicals and edible protein.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Iyer |first1=Ajay |last2=Bestwick |first2=Charles S. |last3=Duncan |first3=Sylvia H. |last4=Russell |first4=Wendy R. |date=2021-02-15 |title=Invasive Plants Are a Valuable Alternate Protein Source and Can Contribute to Meeting Climate Change Targets |journal=Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems |volume=5 |doi=10.3389/fsufs.2021.575056 |doi-access=free |hdl=2164/15875 |hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Iyer |first1=Ajay |last2=Guerrier |first2=Lisa |last3=Leveque |first3=Salomé |last4=Bestwick |first4=Charles S. |last5=Duncan |first5=Sylvia H. |last6=Russell |first6=Wendy R. |date=2022 |title=High throughput method development and optimised production of leaf protein concentrates with potential to support the agri-industry |url=https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11694-021-01136-w |journal=Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=49–65 |doi=10.1007/s11694-021-01136-w |s2cid=244407388 |hdl=2164/19275 |hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Nuñez |first1=Martin A. |last2=Kuebbing |first2=Sara |last3=Dimarco |first3=Romina D. |last4=Simberloff |first4=Daniel |date=December 2012 |title=Invasive Species: to eat or not to eat, that is the question |url=https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1755-263X.2012.00250.x |journal=Conservation Letters |language=en |volume=5 |issue=5 |pages=334–341 |doi=10.1111/j.1755-263X.2012.00250.x |bibcode=2012ConL....5..334N |hdl=11336/198362 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

Proponents of eating invasive organisms argue that humans have the ability to eat away any species that it has an appetite for, pointing to the many animals which humans have been able to hunt to extinction—such as the [[Caribbean monk seal]], and the [[passenger pigeon]]. They further point to the success that [[Jamaica]] has had in significantly decreasing the population of [[lionfish]] by encouraging the consumption of the fish.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/invasive-lionfish-kings-caribbean-may-met-match-011600208.html |title=Invasive Lionfish, the Kings of the Caribbean, May Have Met Their Match |date=January 24, 2014 |work=Yahoo News |last=Conniff |first=Richard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140127033047/https://news.yahoo.com/invasive-lionfish-kings-caribbean-may-met-match-011600208.html |archive-date=January 27, 2014}}</ref> Skeptics point out that once a foreign species has entrenched itself in a new place—such as the [[Indo-Pacific]] [[lionfish]] that has now virtually taken over the waters of the Western [[Atlantic Ocean |Atlantic]], [[Caribbean]] and [[Gulf of Mexico]]—eradication is almost impossible. Critics argue that encouraging consumption might have the unintended effect of spreading harmful species even more widely.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/world-on-a-plate/2015/feb/06/cooking-cant-solve-the-invasive-threat |title=Cooking can't solve the threat of invasive species |author=Bryce, Emma |date=February 6, 2015 |access-date=October 16, 2017 |work=[[The Guardian]] |archive-date=October 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017201839/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/world-on-a-plate/2015/feb/06/cooking-cant-solve-the-invasive-threat |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Pesticides and herbicides===
[[Pesticide]]s are commonly used to control invasives.<ref name="Goss2020">{{cite journal |last1=Goss |first1=EM |last2=Kendig |first2=AE |last3=Adhikari |first3=A |last4=Lane |first4=B |last5=Kortessis |first5=N |last6=Holt |first6=RD |last7=Clay |first7=K |last8=Harmon |first8=PF |last9=Flory |first9=SL |title=Disease in Invasive Plant Populations |journal=Annual Review of Phytopathology |date=August 2020 |volume=58 |issue=1 |pages=97–117 |doi=10.1146/annurev-phyto-010820-012757 |pmid=32516034 |s2cid=219563975 }}</ref> Herbicides used against invasive plants include [[fungal herbicide]]s.<ref name="Goss2020"/> Although the [[effective population size]] of an introduced population is [[population bottleneck|bottlenecked]], some [[genetic variation]] has been known to provide invasive plants with [[plant disease resistance|resistance against these fungal bioherbicides]].<ref name="Goss2020"/> Invasive populations of ''[[Bromus tectorum]]'' exist with resistance to ''[[Ustilago bullata]]'' used as a biocontrol, and a similar problem has been reported in ''[[Microstegium vimineum]]'' subject to ''[[Bipolaris microstegii]]'' and ''[[Bipolaris drechsleri|B. drechsleri]]''.<ref name="Goss2020"/> This is not solely a character of invasive plant genetics but is normal for wild plants such as the weed ''[[Linum marginale]]'' and its fungal pathogen ''[[Melampsora lini]]''.<ref name="Goss2020"/> Crops have another disadvantage over any uncontrolled plant – wild native or invasive – namely their greater uptake of nutrients, as they are [[crop breeding|deliberately bred]] to increase nutrient intake to enable increased product output.<ref name="Goss2020"/>

=== Gene drive ===
A [[gene drive]] could be used to eliminate invasive species and has, for example, been proposed as a way to eliminate [[invasive species in New Zealand|invasive mammal species in New Zealand]].<ref name="Kalmakoff2016">{{cite web |last=Kalmakoff |first=James |url=http://www.merlinnz.com/blog/crispr-pest-free-nz/ |title=CRISPR for pest-free NZ |date=11 October 2016 |access-date=19 October 2016 |archive-date=October 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019152322/http://www.merlinnz.com/blog/crispr-pest-free-nz/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Briefly put, an individual of a species may have two versions of a gene, one with a desired coding outcome and one not, with offspring having a 50:50 chance of inheriting one or the other. Genetic engineering can be used to inhibit inheritance of the non-desired gene, resulting in faster propagation of the desired gene in subsequent generations.<ref name="GeneDrive" /> Gene drives for biodiversity conservation purposes are being explored as part of The Genetic Biocontrol of Invasive Rodents program because they offer the potential for reduced risk to non-target species and reduced costs when compared to traditional invasive species removal techniques.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geneticbiocontrol.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/GBIRD-FactSheet-April-2018.pdf |title=GBIRd Fact Sheet |date=1 April 2018 |access-date=14 November 2018 }}</ref> A wider outreach network for gene drive research exists to raise awareness of the value of gene drive research for the public good.<ref name="GeneDrive">{{cite web |url=https://genedrivenetwork.org |title=Mission & Principles Statement |date=1 July 2018 |access-date=14 November 2018 }}</ref> Some scientists are concerned that the technique could wipe out species in their original native habitats.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theconversation.com/gene-drives-could-wipe-out-whole-populations-of-pests-in-one-fell-swoop-81681 |title='Gene drives' could wipe out whole populations of pests in one fell swoop |work=The Conversation|date=August 8, 2017 }}</ref> The gene could mutate, causing unforeseen problems,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.plos.org/dnascience/2017/11/30/an-argument-against-gene-drives-to-extinguish-new-zealand-mammals-life-finds-a-way/ |title=An Argument Against Gene Drives to Extinguish New Zealand Mammals: Life Finds a Way |work=Plos blogs |date=30 November 2017 }}</ref> or hybridize with native species.<ref name="NZ gene drive risks">{{cite web |last=Campbell |first=Colin |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/risks-may-accompany-gene-drive-technology#comment-1086 |title=Risks may accompany gene drive technology |publisher=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=17 October 2016 |access-date=19 October 2016}}</ref>

=== Predicting invasive plants ===
Accurately predicting the impacts of non-native plants can be an especially effective management option because most introductions of non-native plant species are intentional.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ööpik |first1=Merle |last2=Kukk |first2=Toomas |last3=Kull |first3=Kalevi |last4=Kull |first4=Tiiu |title=The importance of human mediation in species establishment: analysis of the alien flora of Estonia |journal=Boreal Environment Research |date=2008 |volume=13 |issue=Supplement A |pages=53–67 |hdl=10138/235238 |hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lehan |first1=Nora E. |last2=Murphy |first2=Julia R. |last3=Thorburn |first3=Lukas P. |last4=Bradley |first4=Bethany A. |title=Accidental introductions are an important source of invasive plants in the continental United States |journal=American Journal of Botany |date=July 2013 |volume=100 |issue=7 |pages=1287–1293 |doi=10.3732/ajb.1300061 |pmid=23825135 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Virtue |first1=J.G. |last2=Bennett |first2=Sarita |last3=Randall |first3=R.P. |chapter=Plant introductions in Australia: how can we resolve 'weedy' conflicts of interest?: Plant introductions in Australia: how can we resolve 'weedy' conflicts of interest? |pages=42–48 |s2cid=82300163 |editor1-last=Sindel |editor1-first=Brian Mark |editor2-last=Johnson |editor2-first=Stephen Barry |title=Weed Management: Balancing People, Planet, Profit : 14th Australian Weeds Conference : Papers & Proceedings |date=2004 |publisher=Weed Society of New South Wales |isbn=978-0-9752488-0-5 }}</ref> Weed risk assessments attempt to predict the chances that a specific plant will have negative effects in a new environment, often using a standardized questionnaire. The resulting total score is associated with a management action such as "prevent introduction".<ref name=":2">{{cite journal |last1=Pheloung |first1=P.C. |last2=Williams |first2=P.A. |last3=Halloy |first3=S.R. |title=A weed risk assessment model for use as a biosecurity tool evaluating plant introductions |journal=Journal of Environmental Management |date=December 1999 |volume=57 |issue=4 |pages=239–251 |doi=10.1006/jema.1999.0297 |bibcode=1999JEnvM..57..239P }}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite journal |last1=Koop |first1=Anthony L. |last2=Fowler |first2=Larry |last3=Newton |first3=Leslie P. |last4=Caton |first4=Barney P. |title=Development and validation of a weed screening tool for the United States |journal=Biological Invasions |date=February 2012 |volume=14 |issue=2 |pages=273–294 |doi=10.1007/s10530-011-0061-4 |bibcode=2012BiInv..14..273K |s2cid=254280051 }}</ref> Assessments commonly use information about the physiology,<ref name=":2" /> life history,<ref name=":3" /> native ranges,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Pfadenhauer |first1=William G. |last2=Nelson |first2=Michael F. |last3=Laginhas |first3=Brit B. |last4=Bradley |first4=Bethany A. |title=Remember your roots: Biogeographic properties of plants' native habitats can inform invasive plant risk assessments |journal=Diversity and Distributions |date=January 2023 |volume=29 |issue=1 |pages=4–18 |doi=10.1111/ddi.13639 |s2cid=253220107 |url=https://scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1002&context=oeb_grad_pubs |doi-access=free |bibcode=2023DivDi..29....4P }}</ref> and phylogenetic relationships of the species evaluated. The effectiveness of the approach is debated.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gordon |first1=Doria R. |last2=Flory |first2=S. Luke |last3=Lieurance |first3=Deah |last4=Hulme |first4=Philip E. |last5=Buddenhagen |first5=Chris |last6=Caton |first6=Barney |last7=Champion |first7=Paul D. |last8=Culley |first8=Theresa M. |last9=Daehler |first9=Curt |last10=Essl |first10=Franz |last11=Hill |first11=Jeffrey E. |last12=Keller |first12=Reuben P. |last13=Kohl |first13=Lisa |last14=Koop |first14=Anthony L. |last15=Kumschick |first15=Sabrina |last16=Lodge |first16=David M. |last17=Mack |first17=Richard N. |last18=Meyerson |first18=Laura A. |last19=Pallipparambil |first19=Godshen R. |last20=Panetta |first20=F. Dane |last21=Porter |first21=Read |last22=Pyšek |first22=Petr |last23=Quinn |first23=Lauren D. |last24=Richardson |first24=David M. |last25=Simberloff |first25=Daniel |last26=Vilà |first26=Montserrat |display-authors=6 |title=Weed Risk Assessments Are an Effective Component of Invasion Risk Management |journal=Invasive Plant Science and Management |date=March 2016 |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=81–83 |doi=10.1614/IPSM-D-15-00053.1 |s2cid=86276601 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hulme |first1=Philip E. |title=Weed risk assessment: a way forward or a waste of time?: Weed risk assessment: a way forward or waste of time? |journal=Journal of Applied Ecology |date=February 2012 |volume=49 |issue=1 |pages=10–19 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2664.2011.02069.x |doi-access=free }}</ref>

=== Returning invasive species to origin country ===
In 2025 in the first time in history a project to return an invasive specie to the country it came from, has been started in the [[Hebrides]] in [[Scotland]]. [[Hedgehog|Hedgehogs]] "native to the UK mainland" were brought to those islands decades ago to fight garden pests, but the introduction create severe harm to birds which are nesting on the ground. The authorities decided to move them back to the mainland, meaning help to the birds but do not do harm to the hedgehogs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Elliards |first1=Xander |title=Hedgehogs to be evicted from Scottish island in world-first trial |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/25075393.hedgehogs-evicted-scottish-island-world-first-trial/ |access-date=10 April 2025 |agency=The National |date=9 April 2025}}</ref>