CHALLENGE
Estimated research costEstimated scientific challengeFor taking management actionFor better understanding biological invasions
Gaps in 
biomes, units 
of analysis and 
species groups
Incomplete or lack of inventories of invasive alien species in marine, 
tropical and Arctic ecosystems {2.5.2.1, 2.5.2.4, 2.5.2.5, 2.5.4}
Incomplete or lack of inventories of invasive alien microorganisms 
and invertebrates {2.3.1.11, 2.3.3.3}
Lack of understanding of the drivers of change that facilitate 
biological invasion for some animal groups (notably invertebrates), 
fungi and microbes {3.6.1}
Lack of understanding and synthesis of the impacts of invasive 
alien microbes {4.7.2}
Poor understanding of drivers of change that facilitate biological 
invasions in aquatic and marine systems {3.6.1}
Lack of data on successful restoration attempts in terrestrial and 
marine systems {5.5.6, 5.6.2.1}
Regional gaps 
in data and 
knowledge
Comparatively incomplete inventories of invasive alien species in 
Africa and Central Asia {2.4.2.5, 2.4.5.5}
Comparative lack of understanding of the drivers of change that 
facilitate biological invasions in developing economies {Box 3.12}
Lack of data and knowledge of the drivers of biological invasions in 
sub-Saharan Africa, tropical Asia and South America {3.6.1}
Incomplete data on the impacts of invasive alien species across 
Africa and Central Asia {4.7.2}
Interoperable 
data for 
monitoring 
invasive alien 
species and 
effects of drivers 
of biodiversity 
change
Lack of standardization of terminology for invasive alien species 
monitoring {2.4.4.5, 6.6.2.3, 6.6.2.7}
Lack of information on the role of indirect drivers, especially 
governance and sociocultural drivers, in affecting biological 
invasions {3.1.5, 3.6.1, Box 3.13}
Lack of understanding of the net effects of multiple interacting 
drivers in shaping and promoting biological invasions {3.5, Box 
3.10, 3.6.1, Box 3.13}
Lack of knowledge on interactions and feedback across drivers in 
promoting invasions {3.1.5, 3.6.1}
THE THEMATIC ASSESSMENT REPORT ON INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES AND THEIR CONTROL
19SUMMARY FOR POLICYMAKERS
BACKGROUND
Table SPM A 1 Table of knowledge and data gaps 