Biological invasions are a global phenomenon that threatens biodiversity, and few, if any, ecosystems are free from
alien species. The outcome of human-mediated introductions is affected by the invasiveness of species and
invasibility of ecosystems, but research has primarily focused on defining, characterizing and identifying invasive
species; ecosystem invasibility has received much less attention. A prerequisite for characterizing invasibility is the
ability to compare levels of invasion across ecosystems. In this paper, we aim to identify the best way to quantify the
level of invasion by nonnative animals and plants by reviewing the advantages and disadvantages of different
metrics. We explore how interpretation and choice of these measures can depend on the objective of a study or management
intervention. Based on our review, we recommend two invasion indices and illustrate their use by applying
them to two case studies. Relative alien species richness and relative alien species abundance indicate the contribution
that alien species make to a community. They are easy to measure, can be applied to various taxa, are independent
of scale and are comparable across regions and ecosystems, and historical data are often available. The
relationship between relative alien richness and abundance can indicate the presence of dominant alien species and
the trajectory of invasion over time, and can highlight ecosystems and sites that are heavily invaded or especially susceptible
to invasion. Splitting species into functional groups and examining invasion patterns of transformer species
may be particularly instructive for gauging effects of alien invasion on ecosystem structure and function. Establishing
standard, transparent ways to define and quantify invasion level will facilitate meaningful comparisons among studies,
ecosystem types and regions. It is essential for progress in ecology and will help guide ecosystem restoration and
management
