Beijing, China — Biological invasion has become one of the most significant drivers of global ecological disruption, causing billions of dollars in economic losses annually. Yet, for decades, our response to these "alien" species has been largely reactive-acting only after a species has already established itself and caused damage.
In a major review published in the journal Biological Diversity, Professor Aibin Zhan from the Research Center for Eco - Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, proposes a paradigm shift. The study introduces a "proactive, predictive, and integrative" framework driven by multi - omics technologies, offering a high - resolution toolkit to detect, track, and manage invasive species with unprecedented precision.
"Despite decades of research, we are still struggling with early detection and predicting how an invasive species will adapt to a new environment," says Professor Aibin Zhan. "By the time we notice the problem, it is often too late. We need to move away from reactive firefighting and toward a predictive 'weather forecast' model for biosecurity."
The Power of Multi - Omics
Multi - omics refers to the integrated study of various biological molecules, including DNA (genomics), RNA (transcriptomics), proteins (proteomics), and metabolites (metabolomics). The review highlights how these technologies can solve the "invisible" problems of invasion science:
Early Detection: Identifying "hidden" incursions in water or soil via environmental DNA (eDNA) before the organisms are even visible.
Rapid Adaptation: Understanding at a molecular level how species evolve to survive in new climates or resist local predators.
Stage - Specific Solutions: Developing targeted interventions for every step of the invasion process, from initial transport to widespread establishment.
A Holistic, Tech - Driven Future
The proposed framework doesn't stop at biology. Professor Zhan emphasizes that the future of invasive species management lies in the fusion of micro - multi - omics" (cellular data) and "macro - meta - omics" (community - wide data) with cutting - edge digital tools. By integrating these biological insights with Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and remote sensing, scientists can create robust models to forecast invasion risks and ecological impacts long before they occur.
This evidence-based governance approach aims to provide policymakers and environmental managers with the reliable data needed to protect global biodiversity and secure economic stability.
"This is an integrative effort," Professor Zhan added. "By combining molecular biology with ecology, evolution, and AI, we can build a much stronger shield against the escalating threat of biological invasions."
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Original Source: Zhan, Aibin. 2025. "Multi - Omics - Driven Adaptive Management of Biological Invasions: Toward a Proactive, Predictive, and Integrative Framework," Biological Diversity: 2 (4), 163 - 192.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bod2.70015
Keywords: adaptive management, biological invasion, biosecurity, invasive species management, modeling, omics.
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About the Author:
Professor Aibin Zhan is a leading researcher at the Research Center for Eco - Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences. His work focuses on the molecular mechanisms of biological invasions and the development of advanced monitoring technologies for aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
About the Journal:
Biological Diversity (ISSN: 2994 - 4139) is a high - impact journal dedicated to exploring the patterns, processes, and conservation of life on Earth, highlighting innovative research that addresses the global biodiversity crisis.
