What is the cumulative impact of non-native species?

Risk assessments of non-native species are typically conducted on a species-by-species basis. VKM has, of its own volition, initiated a project to explore methodologies that also account for interactions between multiple non-native species. These interactions may result in cumulative effects that exceed the sum of individual species impacts, and VKM shall investigate this further.

What VKM aims to do

The project consists of two phases. In the first phase, VKM shall review scientific literature to identify species complexes or ecosystems in other countries where cumulative effects of non-native species are particularly prevalent. An assessment shall also be made as to whether those cumulative effects are relevant for assessing the cumulative impact to Norwegian ecosystems.

In the second phase, VKM will evaluate whether it is feasible to conduct quantitative assessments of such cumulative effects, and if so, determine which methodologies could be applied. Alternatively, VKM will assess whether only qualitative evaluations are currently feasible.

“By examining the total impact of non-native species, I believe we can provide an even stronger scientific foundation for decision-making in environmental management,” declares Gaute Velle, scientific lead for the project.

Finally, VKM will test the proposed methodology on previous risk assessments involving multiple species, such as freshwater crustaceans, marine crabs, and species from other relevant reports.

Project group

The VKM project group includes members of the Panel on Biodiversity:

Gaute Velle, Chair and Scientific Lead for the project

Anders Bryn

Kyrre Kausrud

Lawrence Kirkendall

Brett Sandercock

Martin Malmstrøm, VKM Secretariat (Project Manager)

The assessment will be approved by VKM’s Panel on Biodiversity, and the first phase of the project is scheduled for publication by the end of the year.