With the prevalence of aquatic and terrestrial invasive species in all U.S. states, Cornell University estimates that invasive species cost the U.S. roughly $120 billion annually in lost revenue and other costs (invasive control, infrastructure repair, outreach and education, etc.), while the California Academy of Sciences places the global cost at around $1.2 trillion.

     And while this is felt across the U.S., some states certainly feel it more than others. For instance, the presence of the non-native zebra and quagga mussels in the Great Lakes region raises the annual maintenance cost for water facilities by around $500 million.

Zebra Mussels. Wikimedia.org

     And while less discussed, especially on this blog (rightly so, due to its focus on aquatic invasive species), microbes and pathogens like West Nile also contribute to raised annual costs. For the full article from capitalresearch.org, click here or on the link available below.