<p>Invasive plants, alongside other global changes, are transforming ecosystems globally. Strategic responses depend on monitoring invasions and arising socioecological risks particularly in the biodiverse and socioeconomically vulnerable regions. Using 16 years (2006–2022) of systematic monitoring over 277,000 km² in India, we analyse the nexus between plant invasions and global changes, including propagule pressure, forest warming and drying, altered fire and herbivory dynamics and rapid land-use transformation. Annually, ~15,500 km² of natural areas are invaded by at least one new species, exposing ~11,200 km² of herbivore occupancy to forage loss. These invasions potentially limit resources for tiger food chains across ~5,950 km² annually. Invasions have exposed 144 million people, 2.79 million livestock and 0.2 million km² of smallholder agriculture to cascading impacts. By identifying socioecological risk hotspots for prioritizing investments, our findings offer critical insights to guide targeted restoration and safeguard biodiversity and vulnerable livelihoods.</p>