Invasive Species Dynamics in Aquatic and Wetland Ecosystems

Invasive species in aquatic and wetland environments represent a critical challenge to ecological integrity, biodiversity and socio-economic stability. These organisms, introduced deliberately or accidentally, exploit niches created by altered hydrology, nutrient enrichment and habitat fragmentation. Their success is often underpinned by high fecundity, broad environmental tolerance and competitive displacement of native biota, leading to novel ecosystem states characterised by reduced functional diversity and impaired ecosystem services. Understanding the interplay between species-level traits and community resistance is essential for predicting invasion trajectories and for designing targeted management interventions. Global case studies have documented the rapid dominance of invasive macrophytes in wetlands, the collapse of native fish assemblages following barrier removal, and the unintended spread of ornamental species through the pet trade.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have advanced trait-based frameworks for predicting both the invasiveness of non-native species and the invasibility of recipient communities. By profiling life-history characteristics across hundreds of freshwater fish assemblages, researchers have demonstrated that species with greater body size, extended longevity and higher reproductive output are more likely to establish and spread. Concurrently, communities with unoccupied functional niches—where the trait space of native species is discrete—are shown to be especially vulnerable to colonisation. Integrative models that couple propagule pressure with functional trait distributions enable more accurate forecasts of invasion risk and support prioritisation of surveillance and control efforts.

Invasive Species Dynamics in Aquatic and Wetland Ecosystems publication trend

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

Technical terms

Propagule pressure: The quantity and frequency of individuals of a non-native species introduced into a new environment, influencing establishment probability.

Functional traits: Biological characteristics—morphological, physiological or life-history attributes—that determine species performance and ecological interactions.

Community invasibility: The susceptibility of an ecological community to the establishment and spread of non-native species based on available niche space and resident trait composition.

Monodominant stand: A vegetation assemblage in which a single species overwhelmingly dominates biomass and spatial coverage, reducing overall diversity.

Exclusion barrier: A physical, chemical or electrical deterrent designed to prevent the movement of invasive aquatic organisms across ecological boundaries.

References

1. Species invasiveness and community invasibility of North American freshwater fish fauna revealed via trait-based analysis. Nature Communications (2023).
2. Typha (Cattail) Invasion in North American Wetlands: Biology, Regional Problems, Impacts, Ecosystem Services, and Management. Wetlands (2019).
3. A massive invasion of fish species after eliminating a natural barrier in the upper rio Paraná basin. Neotropical Ichthyology (2009).
4. Invasive aquatic pets: failed policies increase risks of harmful invasions. Biodiversity and Conservation (2018).
5. The Use of Barriers to Limit the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Animal Species: A Global Review. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution (2021).