Cortaderia selloana or the disregarded impact of worldwide expanding plant invasions on human health

Abstract

Invasive alien plant species (IAPS) are well known to disrupt biodiversity, natural ecosystems, and infrastructures, resulting in a significant worldwide economic cost. However, the impact of IAPS on human health has been generally disregarded, despite a significant potential risk. Currently, due to new evidence and the concept of One Health, this concern is gaining strength. The spread of invasive plants at a global scale can profoundly affect human health through pollen and toxin production. Allergic respiratory diseases caused by pollen are likely the primary risks posed by IAPS. Because of the frequent invasion of populated areas and their different pollination period throughout the year, IAPS might further contribute to the current striking increase in allergies. Respiratory allergies significantly affect the quality of life of patients, along with associated economic impacts. In this study, we focus on a paradigmatic IAPS that is invading considerable areas of the globe, Cortaderia selloana (Pampas grass), to illustrate the increasing and widely disregarded human health risk posed by IAPS. Our aim is to raise awareness of the IAPS concern among the medical community and health policymakers, suggesting rapid action to address associated concerns.