Biological invasions in rivers and associated ecosystems: New insights, challenges, and methodological advancements

Citation

Mathers KL, Guareschi S & Pattison Z (2022) Biological invasions in rivers and associated ecosystems: New insights, challenges, and methodological advancements. River Research and Applications, 38 (8), pp. 1351-1355. https://doi.org/10.1002/rra.4038

Abstract
First paragraph: Biological invasions are an imperative global scale challenge for the management and conservation of natural resources. The introduction, spread, and establishment of invasive non-native species (INNS), also referred to as “invasive alien species” (IAS), represents one of the most significant threats to global biodiversity, economic development, and human health (Pyšek et al., 2020). Inland waters, especially river systems, are particularly vulnerable to invasion due to their spatial position in the landscape, high levels of connectivity, anthropogenic exploitation, multidimensional nature, and natural disturbance regimes (Olden et al., 2021; Rinaldo, Gatto, & Rodríguez-Iturbe, 2020). The assessment and management of INNS in freshwater environments is particularly challenging and it is estimated that aquatic invasions have cost the global economy US$345 billion (Cuthbert et al., 2021), with this figure likely an underrepresentation given the lack of data on freshwater habitats (Oreska & Aldridge, 2011) and for certain taxonomic groups (e.g., plants, Novoa et al., 2021).

Keywords
General Environmental Science; Water Science and Technology; Environmental Chemistry

Journal
River Research and Applications: Volume 38, Issue 8

People

Dr Zarah Pattison

Senior Lecturer in Plant Sciences, Biological and Environmental Sciences