Abstract
Successful control and prevention of biological invasions depend on identifying the sources, vectors, and pathways that are more likely to originate new invasions. Within this context, updated local and regional checklists of alien species are crucial to design biosecurity protocols and strategies for the management of invasive species. In this study, we compiled a comprehensive dataset of the alien flora of Central America based on newly gathered information from the literature, herbarium records, and consultations with local experts. This new dataset includes information on taxonomy, geographic origin, pathways of introduction, habitats preferences, and economic uses of alien plant species introduced to this region. The alien flora of Central America comprises 1228 species, among which there are 835 (68%) naturalized species and 393 (32%) casuals. The number of aliens varied considerably among countries, with the highest numbers occurring in Costa Rica (957 species) and the lowest in Belize (226 species). Alien species can be sourced to all continents and are dominated by herbs, trees, and shrubs. Most species (60%) were introduced intentionally as ornamentals. Alien species have successfully established and are spreading across all major habitat types in the region, and this may have significant long-term implications for the conservation of native biodiversity but also within the socio-economic context of this region.
Resumen
El control y prevención de invasiones biológicas depende en gran medida de la identificación de las fuentes, vectores y las vías de introducción que con mayor probabilidad puedan originar nuevas invasiones. Dentro de este contexto, listados actualizados de especies no-nativas a escalas regionales y locales, son cruciales para poder diseñar protocolos de bioseguridad y estrategias para el manejo de especies invasoras. En este estudio compilamos el listado más completo de la flora no-nativa de América Central. Para esto utilizamos información extraída de la literatura, registros de herbarios y consultas con expertos locales. Este listado incluye además datos sobre la taxonomía, origen geográfico, vías de introducción, preferencias de hábitats y usos de las plantas no-nativas introducidas en esta región. La flora no-nativa de Centroamérica comprende 1228 especies, de las cuales el 68% son naturalizadas y el 32% son especies casuales. El número de especies no-nativas varió considerablemente entre países, con Costa Rica registrando el mayor número (957 especies) y Belice el menor (226 especies). Especies provenientes de todos los continentes han sido introducidas en América Central. La mayoría de las especies (60%) se introdujeron intencionalmente para uso ornamental. Estas especies no-nativas se están estableciendo exitosamente y colonizando la mayoría de hábitats en la región, lo cual puede tener implicaciones significativas para la conservación de la biodiversidad nativa a largo plazo, pero también dentro del contexto socioeconómico de la región.
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Data availability
The datasets generated and analyzed in the current study are available in the Supplementary Materials and on the website of the FINCA Collaboration https://finca.collaboration.uconn.edu/.
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Acknowledgements
E.C-M was supported by Universidad de Costa Rica-Vicerrectoría de Investigación through the project 01-401-2022. R.F thanks B. Rodríguez, C. Black and O. Ortíz for providing important information for species occurring in Panama. The inventory of alien plant for Panama was supported by a Grant from the National Secretariat for Science, Technology, and Innovation (SENACYT-PRB-06-007) and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Logistic support for this research was provided by Institute of the Environment and the University of Connecticut.
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Rojas-Sandoval, J., Ferrufino-Acosta, L., Flores, R. et al. Flora introduced and naturalized in Central America. Biol Invasions 25, 1007–1021 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-022-02968-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-022-02968-3