While scientific research highlights the threats of invasive alien species (IAS) to the environment and human livelihoods, another voice is rising that recognizes their beneficial impacts. With evidence increasing of the contrasting impacts of some IAS, the lack of communication between science and society makes decision-making processes more complex. Here, we consider the beneficial aspects of invasive alien plant species and take examples from other life forms to argue that, over time and space, the detrimental impacts of IAS might endanger sustainable livelihoods by increasing invasion debt manyfold. We therefore suggest that future studies reporting the positive impacts of IAS and those encouraging the management of IAS through their utilization should include value judgements that acknowledge the potential risks involved in the practice and the scale and context specificity of such studies. Studies highlighting the negative impacts of IAS should also recognize the context dependency of their findings and emphasize the benefits to be gained from the management of the IAS. We provide a more complete picture of IAS impacts that could help to inform management decisions in the face of different potential choices and the possible impacts of these choices on sustainable livelihoods in the long term.

虽然科学研究强调了外来入侵物种 (IAS) 对环境和人类生计的威胁，但另一种声音正在兴起，承认其有益影响。随着越来越多的证据表明某些 IAS 产生相反的影响，科学与社会之间缺乏沟通使得决策过程变得更加复杂。在这里，我们考虑外来入侵植物物种的有益方面，并以其他生命形式为例，认为随着时间和空间的推移，外来入侵植物的有害影响可能会因入侵债务增加数倍而危及可持续生计。因此，我们建议未来报告 IAS 积极影响的研究以及鼓励通过利用 IAS 进行管理的研究应包括价值判断，承认实践中涉及的潜在风险以及此类研究的规模和背景特殊性。强调 IAS 负面影响的研究还应该认识到其研究结果的背景依赖性，并强调从 IAS 管理中获得的好处。我们提供了关于 IAS 影响的更全面的描述，这有助于在面对不同的潜在选择以及这些选择对可持续生计的长期影响时为管理决策提供信息。强调 IAS 负面影响的研究还应该认识到其研究结果的背景依赖性，并强调从 IAS 管理中获得的好处。我们提供了关于 IAS 影响的更全面的描述，这有助于在面对不同的潜在选择以及这些选择对可持续生计的长期影响时为管理决策提供信息。强调 IAS 负面影响的研究还应该认识到其研究结果的背景依赖性，并强调从 IAS 管理中获得的好处。我们提供了关于 IAS 影响的更全面的描述，这有助于在面对不同的潜在选择以及这些选择对可持续生计的长期影响时为管理决策提供信息。