Some ecologists say invasive species can be the first sign of nature bouncing back

The word "invasive" usually signals trouble for ecosystems, but some ecologists are urging a more nuanced view. In certain damaged landscapes, newly arrived species may actually be among the first signs that nature is beginning to rebuild itself.

That idea does not dismiss the harm some pests can cause. Instead, it suggests that ecological recovery in the modern world may look messier — and more adaptable — than many people expect.

What's happening?

According to Live Science, author and journalist Fred Pearce argues in "Despite it All" that rewilding may need to accommodate "novel ecosystems" that include both native and nonnative species. The book has been shortlisted for the 2026 Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize.

Pearce said ecological recovery after disruption can begin with invasive species, which may help set the stage for what comes next. As conditions stabilize, a broader range of life can return, even if the resulting community is different from the one that existed before.

Chris Thomas, an ecologist at the University of York, told Pearce that traditional biodiversity accounting can miss this reality because "alien" species are often excluded from official counts. In Britain, Thomas said, "it is unequivocally true that the total number of species in Britain is increasing," even as official records show biodiversity decline.

Pearce also pointed to research by environmental scientist Erle Ellis of the University of Maryland and ecologist Rob Dunn of North Carolina State University, both of whom argue that human-shaped environments can still support vibrant ecological change and adaptation.

Why does it matter?

Biodiversity loss poses a real threat to food systems, local economies, and community resilience.

Pearce and the researchers he cites say conservation can become overly centered on recreating a supposedly pristine past. Yet many cherished spaces — including parks, gardens, roadside verges, and abandoned lots — are already mixed landscapes shaped by people, and if they can sustain life, they may also help cities and communities stay greener, cooler, and more resilient.

From that perspective, ecological developments that seem unexpected may sometimes show adaptation happening in real time rather than simple collapse.

Still, Pearce is clear that this is not a call to ignore destructive species or stop protecting vulnerable plants and animals. Some invaders cause major short-term ecological and economic damage, and intervention can still make sense.

What's being done?

The conservation debate is increasingly turning toward how to respond to ecological change instead of only trying to prevent it. That can mean protecting endangered species where possible while also studying how new ecosystems function in cities and other disturbed areas.

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