Invasive species threaten Czech biodiversity amid climate change

Invasive species are increasingly threatening biodiversity in the Czech Republic, a trend exacerbated by climate change. The Ministry of the Environment has issued warnings regarding the Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), an invasive plant that spreads rapidly along rivers, roads, and gardens. Due to its ability to explode seeds from pods upon contact, it quickly establishes dense thickets that outcompete native vegetation, potentially impacting pollinators, invertebrates, and riverbank stability.

Climate change, characterized by earlier springs and prolonged warm summers, is facilitating the settlement of various non-native species. This includes animals such as jackals and the variegated bunting moving from southern regions, as well as plants and insects shifting their habitats. Human activity also contributes to the introduction of invasive species, such as the red crayfish, which threatens native populations.