The IPPC review of the global status of aquatic plants, their uses and the risks they represent
The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) has recently published a review of the global status of aquatic plants, including their uses and the risks they represent. In addition to the uses and benefits of aquatic plants, this review presents important species that directly or indirectly threaten economically important crops or wild species.
A list of aquatic plants that are considered to cause economic and environmental damage worldwide has been assembled in the IPPC review and is presented in the table below with the species name and family, their native range, growth habit and habitat:
|
Species
|
Native range
|
Growth habit
|
Habitat
|
|
Alternanthera philoxeroides (Amaranthaceae, EPPO Alert List)
|
South America
|
Emergent
|
Freshwater
|
|
Caulerpa taxifolia (Caulerpaceae)
|
Caribbean Sea, Indian Ocean
|
Algae
|
Marine
|
|
Ceratophyllum demersum (Ceratophyllaceae)
|
Cosmopolitan
|
Submersed
|
Freshwater
|
|
Didymosphenia geminata (Gomphonemataceae)
|
Northern hemisphere
|
Algae
|
Freshwater
|
|
Eichhornia crassipes (Pontederiaceae, EPPO A2 List)
|
South America
|
Floating
|
Freshwater
|
|
Hydrilla verticillata (Hydrocharitaceae, EPPO Alert List)
|
Australasia
|
Submersed
|
Freshwater
|
|
Leersia hexandra (Poaceae)
|
Pantropical
|
Emergent
|
Freshwater
|
|
Myriophyllum aquaticum (Haloragaceae, EPPO List of Invasive Alien Plants)
|
South America
|
Submersed/Emergent
|
Freshwater
|
|
Myriophyllum spicatum (Haloragaceae)
|
Eurasia, North Africa
|
Submersed
|
Freshwater
|
|
Phragmites australis (Poaceae)
|
Cosmopolitan
|
Emergent
|
Freshwater
|
|
Pistia stratiotes (Araceae, EPPO Alert List)
|
South America
|
Floating
|
Freshwater
|
|
Salvinia auriculata (Salviniaceae)
|
Tropical Americas
|
Floating
|
Freshwater
|
|
Salvinia molesta (Salviniaceae, EPPO Alert List)
|
South America
|
Floating
|
Freshwater
|
|
Spartina anglica (Poaceae, horticultural hybrid)
|
/
|
Emergent
|
Brackish
|
|
Undaria pinnatifida (Alariaceae, alga)
|
Japan Sea
|
Algae
|
Marine
|
The IPPC review included the following recommendations:
- Caution must be exercised in order to avoid the introduction of a non-native pest into a new environment. An appropriate risk analysis should be performed by the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of each country before introducing a new species into aquaculture or a cultivation programme.
- NPPOs should regulate those species that are not already in their area of responsibility, if possible to prevent their introduction, based on an appropriate risk analysis.
- Some phytosanitary measures should be implemented by NPPOs to contain the spread of some known regulated pests in the ornamental trade.
- A database could be developed by the IPPC to disseminate best management practices for aquatic invasive alien plants.
Sources
Wersal RM ; Madsen JD (2012) Aquatic plants their uses and risks. International Plant protection Convention, FAO Rome. 94 pp. https://www.ippc.int/largefiles/2012/IPPC-IRSS_Aquatic_Plants_Study_2012-Final.pdf