Abstract
Recent global efforts in biodiversity accounting, such as those undertaken through the Con- vention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Bio- diversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), are vital if we are to track conservation progress, ensure that we can address the challenges of global change, and develop powerful and scientifi- cally sound indicators. Schlaepfer [1] proposes that we should work toward inventories of biodiversity that account for native and non-native species regardless of species origin and ecological context.
We strongly disagree with the approach of combining counts of native and non-native species because this will reduce our capacity to detect the effects of non-native spe- cies on native biodiversity with potentially devastating consequences. Compelling and abun- dant evidence demonstrates that some non-native species can become invasive and produce major ecosystem disruptions and even native species extinction.