5 of the most invasive plant species in the world

Invasive plants threaten biodiversity

Japanese knotweed around invasive plant sign
The invasive plant Japanese knotweed can degrade habitats
(Image credit: Christopher Kimmel / Getty Images)

When invasive species are introduced to an area where they are not native, they can cause ecological damage. Many times the species are brought accidentally or purposefully through trade then spread rapidly in the new region due to a lack of predators and competition. Climate change is also increasing the spread of invasive species, with the number of alien species on every continent expected to increase 36% by 2050 according to a study published in the journal Global Change Biology. These 5 invasive plants causing problems around the world.

Japanese knotweed

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Devika Rao, The Week US

 Devika Rao has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022, covering science, the environment, climate and business. She previously worked as a policy associate for a nonprofit organization advocating for environmental action from a business perspective.