Centre for Invasive species was established by researchers at the University of Copenhagen as a national research- and management network. It is the intention that the centre should inspire and co-ordinate the efforts concerning invasive species.

Invasive species are species that by human action has been taken outside their range of natural dispersal and in their new surroundings have become a threat against the native organisms. Well-known examples are: Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), Japanese rose (Rosa rugosa), Spanish slug (Arion lusitanicus), Japanese oyster (Crassostrea gigas), Harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) - and about 100 other species. Next to loss of habitats invasive species are considered the most severe cause to loss of biodiversity. Through ratification of international conventions Denmark is committed to halt loss of biodiversity. Climate change improves possibilities for invasive species to establish here.

Center for Invasive Arter er etableret af forskere ved Københavns Universitetet som et landsdækkende forsknings- og forvaltningsnetværk. Vi søger at koordinere og inspirere indsatsen over for invasive arter.

Invasive arter er organismer, som ved menneskets hjælp er bragt uden for deres naturlige udbredelsesområde, og som i det nye område udgør en alvorlig trussel mod hjemmehørende arter. Eksempler er: Kæmpe-bjørneklo, Rynket rose, "dræbersnegl", Stillehavsøsters, Harlekin-mariehøne - og ca. 100 andre arter. Invasive arter regnes - næst efter tab af levesteder - for den væsentligste årsag til tab af biologisk mangfoldighed. Danmark har via internationale konventioner forpligtet sig til at bevare den biologiske mangfoldighed. Klimaændringer øger muligheden for at invasive arter kan etablere sig.