Invasive Alien Species In China Research Articles

Examining spatial dynamics and interactions of planted alien, native, and invasive alien species in China’s largest artificial mangrove forest

The planted alien mangrove species (i.e., Sonneratia apetala, SOA) was deliberately introduced to control the growth and spread of invasive species (i.e., Spartina alterniflora, SA) and restore mangrove ecosystems in Qi’ao Island, the largest artificially planted mangrove reserve of China. However, the effects of the alien species triggered a debate over whether they invaded or restored the mangrove vegetation. There is a gap in observing the impact of planted alien species on invasive alien species and native species over long periods. This study employed high-resolution images with less than 1 m acquired in 2002, 2008, 2010, 2013, and 2016 to examine spatial dynamics and interactions between alien, invasive, and native species. Results showed that mangrove areas increased to 327.56 ha in 2016 from 79.63 ha in 2002, while the presence of the invasive species SA dwindled to 4.19 ha in 2016, down from 110.18 ha in 2002. The increase in mangrove stand areas was mainly due to the artificial planting of SOA. Most of the SA habitat was occupied by SOA from 2002 to 2016, suggesting that artificial SOA can effectively control the growth and extension of invasive SA. There was no notable transfer from native to alien species. This indicated that alien species did not significantly impact the selection of native species in our study area during the observed period. However, we found that the alien species demonstrates adaptability, limiting the expansion of native species. Therefore, we should not underestimate the invasive power of alien species in mangrove ecosystems. Its ecological and biological effects still need to be carefully assessed over an extended period. The findings provided insight into the impact of planted alien mangroves from the perspective of spatiotemporal changes in species compositions.

Erratum to: Effects of anthropogenic activities and climate factors on the distribution of invasive alien species in China

Erratum to: Effects of anthropogenic activities and climate factors on the distribution of invasive alien species in China

Effects of anthropogenic activities and climate factors on the distribution of invasive alien species in China

全球变化引起的生物入侵已经严重地威胁了生物多样性分布和生态系统功能与服务. 生物入侵分布格局及其影响因素的深入研究有助于更好地预测和管理外来入侵物种, 从而有效地保护生物多样性和生态系统功能与服务. 然而, 目前尚未有研究系统地讨论不同时期人类活动与自然因子对中国外来入侵植物、外来入侵昆虫和外来入侵微生物分布格局的影响. 本研究基于最近出版的外来入侵生物相关资料, 首先描述了3个外来入侵类群在我国的省级分布格局. 然后利用单因素普通最小二乘法模型和空间自回归模型探讨了不同时期人类活动和自然因素对这些分布格局的影响. 结果表明3个外来入侵类群丰富度在我国各省份的分布呈现相似的格局, 即东南偏多, 西北偏少; 相较于入侵植物和入侵昆虫, 入侵微生物在东北和华北的丰富度也较高. 2000年的国内生产总值是影响3个分类群丰富度最大的人类活动指标, 且均呈显著正相关关系. 在自然因子中, 年均温和年降水对入侵植物丰富度和入侵昆虫丰富度解释率也较高, 且呈显著正相关关系, 但对入侵微生物丰富度影响不显著. 值得一提的是, 即使在控制自然因子的影响后, 2000年的国内生产总值依然是对3个分类群丰富度影响最大的因子. 研究结果表明尽管我国东南地区温湿的气候有利于外来入侵生物的生存和扩散, 该区域大量的社会经济活动也是促进外来生物入侵的重要因素. 因此, 未来我国在开展对外贸易与发展经济的同时, 应该更加重视对外来入侵生物的管控.

我国外来物种入侵法律防治的对策研究

我国外来物种入侵法律防治的对策研究

Genetic and epigenetic variation separately contribute to range expansion and local metalliferous habitat adaptation during invasions of Chenopodium ambrosioides into China.

Invasive plants often colonize wide-ranging geographical areas with various local microenvironments. The specific roles of epigenetic and genetic variation during such expansion are still unclear. Chenopodium ambrosioides is a well-known invasive alien species in China that can thrive in metalliferous habitats. This study aims to comprehensively understand the effects of genetic and epigenetic variation on the successful invasion of C. ambrosioides. We sampled 367 individuals from 21 heavy metal-contaminated and uncontaminated sites with a wide geographical distribution in regions of China. We obtained environmental factors of these sampling sites, including 13 meteorological factors and the contents of four heavy metals in soils. Microsatellite markers were used to investigate the demographic history of C. ambrosioides populations in China. We also analysed the effect of epigenetic variation on metalliferous microhabitat adaptation using methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) markers. A common garden experiment was conducted to compare heritable phenotypic variations among populations. Two distinct genetic clusters that diverged thousands of years ago were identified, suggesting that the eastern and south-western C. ambrosioides populations in China may have originated from independent introduction events without recombination. Genetic variation was shown to be a dominant determinant of phenotypic differentiation relative to epigenetic variation, and further affected the geographical distribution pattern of invasive C. ambrosioides. The global DNA unmethylation level was reduced in metalliferous habitats. Dozens of methylated loci were significantly associated with the heavy metal accumulation trait of C. ambrosioides and may contribute to coping with metalliferous microenvironments. Our study of C. ambrosioides highlighted the dominant roles of genetic variation in large geographical range expansion and epigenetic variation in local metalliferous habitat adaptation.

Spatial distribution patterns of invasive alien species in China

The spatial distribution of invasive alien species is driven by various factors, and should be comprehensively evaluated based on multiple invasion indices and different taxonomic groups. In our study, we constructed three sets of invasion indices: (1) absolute invasive alien species (AIAS) richness; (2) weighted invasive alien species (WIAS) richness; (3) relative invasive alien species (RIAS) richness. First, we used principal component analysis (PCA) and k-means clustering to distinguish the invasion risk levels of 28 provinces in China. Then, the ordinary least squares (OLS) and partial least squares (PLS) regression methods were used to explore the factors predicting the distribution patterns of three sets of invasion indices for total species, plants and animals. Finally, the residuals’ regressions of alien plant species richness on alien animal species richness were used to evaluate the effect of environmental and anthropogenic factors on spatial congruence. Results showed that 17 provinces were identified as high invasion risk regions (Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, Hainan, Guizhou, Yunnan and Sichuan). For environmental factors, the potential evapotranspiration (PET) or actual evapotranspiration (AET) could better predict AIAS and WIAS richness, and area better predicted RIAS richness. For anthropogenic factors, the gross domestic product (GDP) or human population explained more variation in AIAS or WIAS richness, and transport volume or GDP could better explain the variation in RIAS richness. Generally, the environmental and anthropogenic factors showed identical prediction ability. The results of PLS regressions indicated that one set of predictors showed similar effects to the alien plants and animals within a model, and indicated the spatial distribution congruence of them. Removing the environmental and anthropogenic factors, to some extent, will weaken the congruence, but the congruence of plants and animals still exists for AIAS and RIAS richness. Our study provides meaningful information for the prediction and management of the biological invasions.

Influence of Aphis gossypii feeding on defense strategy of native and introduced populations of Ageratina adenophora

The crofton weed, Ageratina adenophora, is one of the most invasive alien species in China. To investigate and clarify the defense strategy of A. adenophora under the feeding stress of polyphagous natural enemies, native and introduced A. adenophora populations were fed by different densities of Aphis gossypii (15, 30, 45, and 60 aphids/plant) for different feeding times (0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h), and variation of nutrients contents, secondary metabolites contents, and antioxidant enzymes activities were determined in both populations. The contents of soluble protein, soluble sugar, and flavonoid, and the activities of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase increased significantly, while the content of tannic acid decreased significantly with the increase of aphid density and feeding time. The trends of such variation in both native and invasive populations were similar. However, the contents of soluble protein, soluble sugar, and flavonoid, and the activities of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in introduced population were significantly higher (1.92, 1.13, 1.22, 1.16, and 1.61 times, respectively) than those in native population, while the contents of tannic acid in introduced population were significantly lower (89.28%) than those of in native population. In general, introduced A. adenophora population was more sensitive and exhibited stronger resistance to A. gossypii feeding than native population, which might contribute to the defense strategies of A. adenophora with regard to its successful establishment and expansion in invaded area.

Isolation and Identification of Ipomoea cairica (L.) Sweet Gene IcSRO1 Encoding a SIMILAR TO RCD-ONE Protein, Which Improves Salt and Drought Tolerance in Transgenic Arabidopsis

Ipomoea cairica is a tropical plant and a wild relative of the food plant sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), listed as one of the most invasive alien species in China. Recently, it has been reported that I. cairica had successfully invaded mangrove wetlands, indicating its high salt tolerance. Based on previous genetic studies, I. cairica offers a good model for characterizing stress-resistant genes. It has recently been identified that the SRO proteins (SIMILAR TO RCD-ONE) play important roles in a variety of stress and developmental responses. Radical-Induced Cell Death1 (RCD1) was the first identified plant SRO protein from Arabidopsis thaliana. As a typical SRO protein, IcSRO1 had a highly conservative WWE domain, a conserved PARP fold and protein C in the RST function area. The expression of IcSRO1 was induced by salt, drought, and the plant hormone ABA. The transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing IcSRO1 showed higher tolerance against salt and drought stress along with lower accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide (O2−) than the wild type. The IcSRO1 protein was localized in the nucleus after cultivation in the buffer. Our results indicated it could interact with Arabidopsis SALT OVERLY SENSITIVE 1 (AtSOS1), suggesting IcSRO1 may have similar functions. The pleiotropic effect of IcSRO1 on physiological processes contributes to the improvement of plant tolerance against diverse abiotic stresses, and may be associated with the adaptation of I. cairica to those environments with extreme saline and drought conditions. It therefore provides valuable gene resources for crop breeding enhancement.

Spatial similarity in the distribution of invasive alien plants and animals in China

With ongoing development of global economy and increasing trade between countries, China faces increasingly serious invasions by alien species, causing great harm and potential disasters to agriculture, forestry and natural environment. According to a national survey of invasive alien species in China, there are 265 species of invasive alien plants and 171 species of invasive alien animals in China, most of which are widely distributed. In general, there are more invasive species, either plants or animals, in the south than in the north, and more in coastal areas than in interior areas. The distribution of first detection locations of invasive alien plants and animals shows a similar pattern. The cluster analyses showed that the distribution of invasive alien plants and animals was significantly influenced by geographical region, and the alien species of invasive plants and animals were similar in the same geographical region. Thus, the overall distribution of invasive alien plants and animals are spatially similar in China. The results remind us an ongoing invasion pressure from other countries to China and from the provinces with more invasive species to the provinces with less invasive species. Considering different biological and ecological characteristics of plants and animals, common social-economic factors and environmental conditions in each province lead to such similar spatial patterns, supporting the distribution prediction of establishment possibility based on the invasive pest assemblages.

Politics of the Risk Management for Marine Invasive Alien Species in China: Constructing a Cooperation System

Invasive alien marine species threaten biodiversity, marine industries (including fishing and tourism), and human health. A brief overview is presented of the current situation and the harm caused by marine biological invasions in China, in parallel with an analysis of the current state of related Chinese regulatory and legislative systems. The major impact and complexity of marine biological invasions on the ecological environment in China has had a major impact on human health, as well as social and economic development. Consequently, the responsibilities of current domestic management, which has too many administrative departments, remain unclear. Therefore, we conclude that it is necessary to establish an international, regional, and cross-departmental cooperation and management system, to effectively resolve the problem of alien marine species invasion in China.

An inventory of invasive alien species in China

Invasive alien species (IAS) are a major global challenge requiring urgent action, and the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity (2011–2020) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) includes a target on the issue. Meeting the target requires an understanding of invasion patterns. However, national or regional analyses of invasions are limited to developed countries. We identified 488 IAS in China’s terrestrial habitats, inland waters and marine ecosystems based on available literature and field work, including 171 animals, 265 plants, 26 fungi, 3 protists, 11 procaryots, and 12 viruses. Terrestrial plants account for 51.6% of the total number of IAS, and terrestrial invertebrates (104 species) for 21.3%. Of the total numbers, 67.9% of plant IAS and 34.8% of animal IAS were introduced intentionally. All other taxa were introduced unintentionally despite very few animal and plant species that invaded naturally. In terms of habitats, 64.3% of IAS occur on farmlands, 13.9% in forests, 8.4% in marine ecosystems, 7.3% in inland waters, and 6.1% in residential areas. Half of all IAS (51.1%) originate from North and South America, 18.3% from Europe, 17.3% from Asia not including China, 7.2% from Africa, 1.8% from Oceania, and the origin of the remaining 4.3% IAS is unknown. The distribution of IAS can be divided into three zones. Most IAS are distributed in coastal provinces and the Yunnan province; provinces in Middle China have fewer IAS, and most provinces in West China have the least number of IAS. Sites where IAS were first detected are mainly distributed in the coastal region, the Yunnan Province and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The number of newly emerged IAS has been increasing since 1850. The cumulative number of firstly detected IAS grew exponentially.

AFLP analyses of genetic variation of Eupatorium adenophorum (Asteraceae) populations in China

The Eupatorium adenophorum is one of the most widespread invasive alien species in China. In the present study, the genetic variation and population structure of this species were analyzed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Nine primer pairs were selected for the analysis and 685 bands were produced, among which 474 bands were polymorphic (PPB = 69.2%). Diversity levels within populations were relatively high (mean expected heterozygosity = 0.188, mean Shannon index = 0.296). Regression analysis showed a significant positive relationship between Shannon genetic diversity and altitude (R2 = 0.31). However, there was a negative correlation between Shannon genetic diversity and latitude (R2 = 0.16), as well as between Shannon genetic diversity and longitude (R2 = 0.45). Cluster analysis grouped the majority of the weed populations into three main clusters that corresponded with the geographic regions. At the regional level, the AMOVA indicated that about 70% of the variations in the data set were from genotypic variations within populations, 13.3% of the variations were due to regional differences, and the remaining 16.6% were due to differences among populations within the provincial regions. The results imply that most individuals tested in the present study should have been produced through seeds, and the process of colonization resulted in progressive loss of genetic diversity from the southwest to the northeast of China. Key words: Amplified fragment length polymorphism, invasive species, Eupatorium adenophorum, diversity, genetic variation, population structure

Invasive mechanism and management strategy of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype B: Progress report of 973 Program on invasive alien species in China

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype B, called a "superbug", is one of the most harmful biotypes of this species complex worldwide. In this report, the invasive mechanism and management of B. tabaci biotype B, based on our 5-year studies, are presented. Six B. tabaci biotypes, B, Q, ZHJ1, ZHJ2, ZHJ3 and FJ1, have been identified in China. Biotype B dominates the other biotypes in many regions of the country. Genetic diversity in biotype B might be induced by host plant, geographical conditions, and/or insecticidal application. The activities of CarE (carboxylesterase) and GSTs (glutathione-S-transferase) in biotype B reared on cucumber and squash were greater than on other host plants, which might have increased its resistance to insecticides. The higher activities of detoxification enzymes in biotype B might be induced by the secondary metabolites in host plants. Higher adaptive ability of biotype B adults to adverse conditions might be linked to the expression of heat shock protein genes. The indigenous B. tabaci biotypes were displaced by the biotype B within 225 d. The asymmetric mating interactions and mutualism between biotype B and begomoviruses via its host plants speed up widespread invasion and displacement of other biotypes. B. tabaci biotype B displaced Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) after 4-7 generations under glasshouse conditions. Greater adaptive ability of the biotype B to adverse conditions and its rapid population increase might be the reasons of its successful displacement of T. vaporariorum. Greater ability of the biotype B to switch to different host plants may enrich its host plants, which might enable it to better compete with T. vaporariorum. Native predatory natural enemies possess greater ability to suppress B. tabaci under field conditions. The kairomones in the 3rd and 4th instars of biotype B may provide an important stimulus in host searching and location by its parasitoids. The present results provide useful information in explaining the mechanisms of genetic diversity, evolution and molecular eco-adaptation of biotype B. Furthermore, it provides a base for sustainable management of B. tabaci using biological and ecological measures.

The distribution and economic losses of alien species invasion to China

Invasive alien species have become one of the most serious environmental issues in the world. Data of taxon, origin, pathway, and environmental impacts of invasive alien microorganisms, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles, fish, birds, mammals, herbs, trees, and, marine organisms in terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems of China were analyzed during 2001 and 2003, based on literature retrieval and field survey. There were 283 invasive alien species in China, and the number of species of invasive alien microorganisms, aquatic plants, terrestrial plants, aquatic invertebrates, terrestrial invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles, fish, and mammals were 19, 18, 170, 25, 33, 3, 10, and 5, respectively. The proportion of invasive alien species originated from America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania were 55.1, 21.7, 9.9, 8.1, and 0.6%, respectively. Methods for estimation of direct economic losses to agriculture, forestry, stockbreeding, fishery, road and water transportation, storage, water conservancy, environment and public facilities, and human health were established. Methods for estimation of indirect economic losses caused by invasive alien species to service functions of forest ecosystems, agricultural ecosystems, grassland ecosystems, and wetland ecosystems were also established. The total economic losses caused by invasive alien species to China were to the time of USD 14.45 billion, with direct and indirect economic losses accounting for 16.59% and 83.41% of total economic losses, respectively.

Invasion dynamics and potential spread of the invasive alien plant speciesAgeratina adenophora(Asteraceae) in China

ABSTRACTAgeratina adenophora(Sprengel) R. King & H. Robinson (=Eupatorium adenophorumSprengel) is one of the worst invasive alien species in China. SinceA.adenophorawas first noticed in Yunnan Province of China in the 1940s, its rapid spread has caused an ecological problem in south‐western China. Understanding its historical invasion pattern and its potential for further spread is needed to plan the management of the species. We reconstructed the historical process of its invasion and analysed its ecological preferences in the invaded region. After a lag phase of 20 years (1940–60),A.adenophoraspread rapidly throughout the south and middle subtropical zones in Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Guangxi, China, with an average expansion rate of 20 km per year. It spread relatively slowly in north subtropical areas, with an average expansion rate of 6.8 km per year. It has not established in warm temperate areas within the invaded regions. Although range expansion in Yunnan stopped after 1990, the expansion of its range into neighbouring provinces indicates thatA.adenophorahas not reached the full potential of its distribution and its range is still rapidly expanding within China. We applied ecological niche modelling (GARP — Genetic Algorithm for Rule‐set Prediction) to predict potential invasion areas in mainland China on the basis of occurrence points within colonized areas whereA.adenophorahas reached equilibrium. The predictions, confirmed by the range of values of four key environmental parameters, generally match the parameters of the geography and ecology in the invaded region. Southern and south‐central China have climatic conditions suggestive of a high potential for invasion byA.adenophora. Climatic conditions in northern and western China appear unsuitable forA.adenophora. Urgent measures should be taken to prevent this species from further spreading into the vast areas of potential habitat in southern and south‐central China.