Better Database, Better Marketplace
This article takes a look at how much money invasive species cost the U.S. each year, and what is being done about it. A new commerce tool has emerged as a result of massive economic impact as a way to inform buyers and sellers on what is considered dangerous versus safe.
“With invasive species causing $138 billion in U.S. economic losses yearly, a new online database from the Great Lakes Commission aims to help e-commerce buyers and sellers in 50 states identify non-native aquatic plants and animals to avoid…The goal of the AquaSale database is to provide a central repository of information about varying state and federal regulations. It assists online retailers and buyers in avoiding shipping invasive species across interstates, and introducing associated threats to freshwater ecosystems and damaging state economies” (Fletcher, 2026)
“The growing popularity of online sales of plants and animals has created new challenges in preventing the spread of harmful invasive species to the Great Lakes," noted Timothy Bruno, Great Lakes Program coordinator at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. “Many invasive plants and animals can be purchased online with just a few clicks.” (Fletcher, 2026)
“Sales are typically made using eBay, Bing, Amazon and Etsy search engines. Common invasive species bought online include Asian clams, Malaysian trumpet snails, Red Swamp Crayfish and a wide variety of plants such as water lettuce and Indian hygrophila” (Fletcher, 2026)
“Invasive species can also cause public health threats, damage infrastructure, pose wildfire threats and change forests, fisheries and ranges"
“Non-native invasive species have significant economic and environmental impacts in the United States. Studies show that economic losses caused by non-native invasive species exceed $138 billion annually,” says the U.S. Forest Service. “Many species listed by the Federal Government as threatened or endangered have been negatively affected by non-native invasive species.”
Proactive deterrents can lower economic costs and protect invasive species from negatively impacting the environment and potentially cause the extinction of native U.S. plant and animal species” (Fletcher, 2026)
Review
Many invasive species with high ecological and economic impact are spreading due to the larger digital marketplace and irresponsible selling and purchasing practices. By compiling data about these species in a comprehensive format for consumers, the information barrier is greatly reduced, allowing customers to make responsible purchases without risking their local ecosystems by introducing non-native invasive species. Systems like these can be looked at as a way to inform people about which species need to be looked out for in different contexts, such as campers, anglers, hunters, and other activities that commonly facilitate the spread of these species. With these different contexts, the question of format becomes another challenge, and modes of communication such as posters, apps, seminars, and other forms of information become potential ways to help people protect their ecosystems
References
Fletcher, N. (2026, August 31). Invasive species cost billions. can online shoppers cut the losses?. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/noelfletcher/2026/08/31/invasive-species-cost-billions-can-states-cut-the-losses/
