Trained dogs detected invasive plant species in Germany with 75% accuracy

Volunteer dog-handler teams could help track invasive species: Study - The Tribune

Volunteer dog-handler-teams could be trained to locate invasive alien species in the wild with up to 75 per cent accuracy, according to a study. Invasive alien species are animals, plants and microorganisms introduced by humans, intentionally or accidentally, outside their natural habitat, where they harm native biodiversity, the economy or humans. Researchers, including those from […]

How Dogs Are Helping Combat Invasive Species

A new study reveals that volunteer dog-handler teams can be effectively trained to detect invasive alien plant species with high accuracy, offering a promising and cost-effective method for early detection and control of these biodiversity threats.

Trained dogs detected invasive plant species in Germany with 75% accuracy

Invasive alien species (IAS) are one of the main causes of biodiversity loss worldwide. A study published Nov. 4, 2026, in the journal PLOS One by Annegret Grimm-Seyfarth at Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, Germany, and colleagues found that with training, volunteer dog-handler teams could locate invasive species in the wild with 75% accuracy.