Aquatic Invasive Species Management and Dispersal Dynamics

Aquatic invasive species threaten biodiversity, water quality and economic activities worldwide by establishing populations outside their native ranges. Dispersal dynamics are driven by a combination of natural processes—such as currents and flood events—and human-mediated vectors, notably recreational boats, fishing gear and commercial shipping. Effective management balances prevention, early detection, rapid response and long-term control. Prevention focuses on pathway restriction through policy, education and targeted inspections, while detection relies on monitoring networks, citizen science and molecular tools. Once established, eradication is rarely feasible, prompting emphasis on containment via physical, chemical and biological measures. Advances in modelling that integrate vector movement, habitat suitability and network connectivity have improved risk forecasting and prioritisation of control interventions. Adaptive management frameworks, underpinned by long-term data and stakeholder collaboration, are critical for mitigating impacts on ecosystem services, recreation and water infrastructure. Globalisation and climate change further complicate invasion thresholds and pathways, reinforcing the need for interdisciplinary and multiscale strategies.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Experiments have quantified the efficacy of watercraft decontamination methods under realistic conditions to reduce secondary spread. High-pressure washing removed up to 90 per cent of attached material, while brief exposure to hot water (≥60 °C) achieved near-complete mortality among most invertebrate and plant invaders. Air-drying protocols required extended durations (≥60 h for mussels; ≥6 days for plants), with some taxa showing persistence. Combining hot water exposure with subsequent drying delivered the most consistent eradication across all species tested. These findings support the standardisation of decontamination guidelines and inform outreach campaigns aimed at minimising human-mediated dispersal.

Aquatic Invasive Species Management and Dispersal Dynamics publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in aquatic invasive species management and dispersal dynamics across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Aquatic invasive species: Organisms introduced to waterbodies outside their native ranges that establish populations and cause ecological or economic harm.

Dispersal vector: A mechanism or pathway by which organisms are transported, including watercraft, fishing equipment and ballast water.

Gravity model: A predictive framework estimating movements between locations based on factors such as distance and ‘mass’ (for example, visitation rates).

Habitat suitability model: A tool that assesses environmental conditions to predict the likelihood of invasive species establishment.

Propagule pressure: The frequency and number of individuals introduced to a new site, influencing invasion success.

Decontamination: Procedures applied to watercraft or equipment to remove or neutralise invasive organisms prior to transport.

Network connectivity: The degree to which waterbodies are linked by human or natural pathways, affecting spread potential.

References

1. Patterns of dreissenid mussel invasions in western US lakes within an integrated gravity model framework. Journal of Environmental Management (2023).
2. Nine Lessons about Aquatic Invasive Species from the North Temperate Lakes Long-Term Ecological Research (NTL-LTER) Program. BioScience (2024).
3. Watercraft decontamination practices to reduce the viability of aquatic invasive species implicated in overland transport. Scientific Reports (2023).
4. Batten down the hatches: Opportunities to protect Alaska from biological invasions through watercraft trade and traffic. Marine Policy (2023).