Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

174 Chapter 7: Nature Figure 7.17  The invasive alien Chinese mitten crab (left) caught in the Barrow estuary. Native white- clawed crayfish (right) from the Slate river, Co. Kildare, a protected species now absent from much of the River Barrow Catchment and whose range in Ireland has declined in recent years because of a lethal contagious fungal-type disease ( Aphanomyces astaci ) originally from North America Credit: Jan-Robert Baars (UCD) There are also significant economic costs. Kelly et al. (2013) estimated that the annual cost of invasive species to Ireland’s economy was over €200 million, although this figure has most certainly increased since. IPBES (2023) estimated the annual global cost of invasive species in 2019 as €400 billion. The increased threats of other species becoming established (such as the Asian hornet, coypu and raccoon), and others spreading (like fireblight ( Erwinia amylovora ), a bacterial disease affecting hawthorn) have the potential to further damage Ireland’s native species and habitats, resulting in increased economic costs. Despite the EU Regulation on the prevention and management of invasive alien species (Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014), ongoing failures relating to the continued introduction and spread of new invasive species in Ireland (Figure 7.17) highlight issues relating to the lack of enforcement initially and suitable management regimes (i.e. control and/or eradication) thereafter of non-native species and their introductions across the island. Climate change The climate and biodiversity emergencies are complicated and interconnected challenges. Biodiversity helps to regulate the climate and protect us from extreme weather and other effects of climate change. However, climate change is recognised as a major driver of change in nature and biodiversity globally (see IPBES, 2019). Changes in climatic conditions (e.g. rainfall patterns, average temperatures, prevalence of storms) in Ireland are likely to drive species change, both positively and negatively, with the geographical range of many of our native species likely to change. Climate change will also further aid the spread of invasive species and the associated negative consequences of native species’ decline. It will also increase habitat degradation and fragmentation; increase the intensity, magnitude and frequency of fires, floods, storms and periods of drought; and increase pollution of air, water and soil.