Alien Invasive Aquatic Fauna: Challenges and Mitigation

Abstract

AbstractIn the recent past, the invasive species became a matter of great concern across the globe as they were introduced from one geographic area to the other or from native geographic ranges to beyond its boundary either intentionally, unintentionally, or accidentally. But, the matter of apprehension suggests on some selected species which make their establishment successful in other non-native habitats with greater extents of proliferation and also make an extreme quantum of threat to native species population, decline for nutrients, light, physical space, water, or food, etc. The battle can be seen as lethal for the native species population, including the endemic population through predation or changes in community organization, or by altering the genetic make-up through interbreeding, the introduction of parasitic activities, and pathogen-related issues, etc. India is endowed with a wide range of habitats, of which aquatic ecosystems are interlinked with freshwater habitats, estuarine habitats, as well as coastal and marine habitats. The compilation of data on invasive alien species in aquatic ecosystems revealed 118 species of invasive/exotic species including 98 species from the marine ecosystems and 20 species from the freshwater ecosystem. The introduction of any species for culture as well as aquarium trade are the major challenges along with the global seaways movement and mismanagement of ballast water treatment strategies that induce the introduction of non-native species either intentionally or unintentionally. Immediate development and globalization are measured as the greatest anthropogenic measures for spreading invasive species beyond its native range, besides natural influences either deliberately or unknowingly. The present paper deals with the detailed species diversity of invasive alien species from all the aquatic ecosystems in India along with the possible challenges, measures, and mitigations.KeywordsInvasive alien species (IAS)Aquatic ecosystemChallengesMitigation