Biosecurity works – and there’s data to prove it. Prevention pays off and, when applied consistently and properly, protects new areas from incursions.

New research published in the Conversation shows that biosecurity policies work to protect the environment and are likely to be cheaper than the cost of control or eradication. Introduced species now cost the global economy an estimated $423 billion annually.

This article talks about a century of Antarctic data proving biosecurity policies work. Under the web of agreements governing Antarctica, cargo must be checked for any sign of plants, seeds, insects, and rodents. Visitors must ensure the items they bring are clean.

In new research, scientists analysed a century of data on how many species have been introduced to the icy continent and surrounding sub-Antarctic islands. Though there’s little human presence there, many species have been introduced and several have established. But across most sub-Antarctic islands, the rate of introduced species has remained steady, or slowed, after biosecurity policies were introduced, even as more humans arrived.

The exception was the Antarctic continent itself, where species introductions are increasing. This is likely due to surging visitor numbers and inconsistent biosecurity efforts between different nations and tourist operators.

Image: Expeditioners cleaning their boots at a biosecurity checkpoint. Credit: Murray Hamilton.