bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Success and failure of sand goby culture.
Authors: Pham Van Khanh
Published: April 2021

The success in the seed production of the sand goby (Oxyeleotris marmorata) has contributed to the protection of natural resources and the availability of seed for aquaculture. About 30-50 million sand goby fingerlings are produced in hatcheries for domestic and export markets every year. Grow-out production systems of sand goby developed in the 1990s. It helped to increase the incomes of many fish farmers and contributed to the country's foreign exchange earnings. Constraints to hatchery-produced seed for grow-out have resulted in difficulties for sand goby seed producers. Hatchery-produced seed commands a higher price than wild seed and thus is not able to completely replace the natural seed supply. However, wild seed is of uneven size and capture methods are not standardized, resulting in the fish body being easily scratched, leading to disease and mortality. The fish is sensitive to changes in environmental conditions and vulnerable to diseases which are difficult to treat. The market for this species is also limited.
Sustainable aquaculture development in oxbow lakes with emphasis on the involvement of women.
Authors: Kibria Md.
Published: April 2021

A total of 600 oxbow lakes are located in the southwestern part of Bangladesh, covering 5,488 ha. An oxbow lake (baor) is an old cut-off river bend, usually in the shape of a horseshoe. Pond aquaculture for women was introduced in oxbow lakes in 1995-1996 to allow their active participation in aquaculture as a livelihood activity. The shallow and silted parts of the baor were excavated into 0.5 to 1.5 ha size fishponds. This study was conducted in 1999 in two selected oxbow lakes in Jessore district to assess the technological and socio-economic effects of fish farming groups (FFGs) and pond aquaculture in oxbow lakes with emphasis on the involvement of women. Three categories of questions (socio-economic, technical and gender) were asked of FFG members. This study shows that initially when the women became involved in pond excavation and dike compaction, as members of the FFGs, most of their men members did not like this. As Bangladesh is a Muslim-dominant country, there is a general idea among men that women should not work outside together with men. However, after a few years, once the success of the women's fish farming activities and marketing became clear, their social status and respect in the society and family increased through their active participation in this process. A total of 23 oxbow lakes in five districts around Jessore, covering 1,400 ha, have been handed over from the Ministry of Land to the Department of Fisheries (DOF). Subsequently, the DoF transferred the user-rights to the beneficiaries for a period of 50 years.
Socio-economics of Artemia culture.
Authors: Nguyen Van Hoa , Nguyen Thi Hong Van , Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh
Published: April 2021

Traditional solar salt pans have been the only production activity carried out in Bac Lieu and Vinh Chau (Soc Trang) since the 1960s (Do, 1998). However, low and unsustainable incomes from salt production made this practice unattractive to salt farmers. At the end of the 1980s, Artemia production in the area was conducted under the technical advice of the College of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Cantho University. Artemia production provides not only cysts for shrimp and fish hatcheries but also improves considerably the income of salt farmers (Vu, 1997). However, over the years cyst production has been unstable and has varied from place to place and from season to season. Production has also depended on investment scale and pond management. Moreover, cyst prices usually fluctuate and are market driven. Prices also depend on the remaining cyst stock held by shrimp feed companies. Thus, it is difficult for farmers to decide if they should invest in Artemia production for the coming season or not. This paper presents the pros and cons for sustainable production of Artemia in the area.
Promotion of small-scale pond aquaculture in Chitwan valley, Nepal.
Authors: Pant Jharendu
Published: April 2021

The Chitwan valley, situated in the inner Terai, Nepal, is endowed with a favourable sub-tropical monsoonal climate, rich soil and abundant forest resources. The livelihoods of half of the population of Chitwan depend on farming. The average size of farm holdings is small (about 0.6 ha) with the agricultural system characterized by an integration of crop and livestock sub-systems. Recognizing the possible role of small-scale aquaculture in poverty alleviation in Nepal, the project "Women in Aquaculture in Nepal" is aimed at the introduction and development of backyard pond aquaculture. It has been working with small-scale farming households of the traditional fishing communities of the Darai and Tharu in the Chitwan valley. The project has successfully demonstrated the role of backyard pond aquaculture in diversifying the farming systems of traditional fishing communities in Chitwan valley. Whilst farmers operated low-input aquaculture systems, there is scope for significantly increasing fish production through intensification.
Porphyra cultivation in Maine, USA and New Brunswick, Canada.
Authors: Levine Ira
Published: April 2021

Commercial cultivation of the red alga Porphyra (common name nori) was initiated in Cobscook Bay, Maine, USA, in 1991 by Coastal Plantations International, Inc. (CPI) (Yarish et al., 1996a,b, 1997; Levine and Crawford, 1997; Levine, 1997a,b). The company's efforts resulted in the world's first organically-certified nori. Additional efforts included the establishment of a nori-salmon integrated polyculture system. CPI attempted to cultivate nori in the waters of the Gulf of Maine after securing all local, state, national, and international permits. The development of a US-based marine agronomic effort ended in 1999 (Levine, 1998; Levine and Cheney, 1998). The farm reached a maximum of 1,000 saku with two nets per saku per season (saku is a Japanese nori-farming word for 'an area occupied by one net'). Production values were inconsistent due to vandalism, disease, farming inexperience, site selection, and drought conditions resulting in near zero dissolved nitrogen (N) concentrations. The farm developed the experience to produce and market a crop of organically-produced nori sheets, distributed to health-food stores, by direct mail order, and as a source of fluorescent labelers marketed directly to biomedical concerns.
Participatory research, market access and small-scale commercial aquaculture in central Cameroon.
Authors: Brummett Randall
Published: April 2021

Cameroon has a good climate and adequate water, land and fish biodiversity to support aquaculture development. However, lack of market access, e.g. poor roads and high vehicle operation costs, seriously constrains purchase of inputs and sale of outputs, rendering many fish farms unprofitable. A Department for International Development (DFID; UK)-funded participatory action research project, implemented by WorldFish Center and partners, undertook to understand market constraints among small-scale commercial fish farmers in central Cameroon. Differences in the number of buyers, transaction size, market liquidity and size, livestock integration, stocking density, use of purchased feeds, and the number and mix of species cultured were compared among villages with good or poor market access. A multivariate regression model of yield compared productivity factors, yield and differences between rural and periurban sites. Villages with good market access produced significantly more fish and sold them at significantly higher prices, and with higher overall profit margins, than farms with poor market access.
Penaeid shrimp (Penaeus monodon) culture in Bangladesh.
Authors: Huq Khandaker , Shafiq-ur-Rahman
Published: April 2021

The shrimp (Penaeus monodon), locally known as bagda, is known as white gold for its high economic value in Bangladesh. The shrimp sector of Bangladesh is seen as having become important in economic terms, contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings and employment generation in rural areas. P. monodon culture is practiced in the Bagerhat, Chokoria, Cox's Bazar, Khulna, Moheshkhali, Shatkhira and Teknaf regions and recently has been introduced in some coastal areas of Noakhali district. Three culture systems are found in Bangladesh, i.e. traditional, improved traditional and semi-intensive with production rates of 150-200, 250-400 and 2,000-2500 kg ha-1, respectively. Seed is collected from natural sources and is produced in hatcheries. There are 44 penaeid shrimp hatcheries in Bangladesh. The present shrimp fry production is 3.05 billion. More than 200,000 people are engaged in shrimp fry collection and marketing and more than 350,000 people are engaged in shrimp farming. Ancillary industries like shrimp hatcheries, feed industries, ice factories, processing factories, net industries and shrimp culture apparatus industries provide direct employment for 25,000-30,000 people. Adverse environmental impacts reported are reduction of grazing land and saline water intrusion due to mismanagement but these could be overcome by introducing environmentally friendly shrimp culture. As the climate of Bangladesh is favourable for P. monodon culture, it is necessary to give more attention to improve it as it will open a new horizon in the economy of the country.
Mass production of shrimp seed in Bangladesh: status and potential.
Authors: Rahman Md.
Published: April 2021

Naturally occurring shrimp fry, carried by tidal action, has been collected on the beach in estuarine areas and in some rivers in Cox's Bazar and Khulna for a long time. Many rural poor people trap the fry using 'behundi' (bag nets) and different kinds of nets and supply them to the shrimp grow-out farmers at a reasonable price. As the year-by-year demand for fry increased, and naturally occurring fry decreased as a result of overfishing, the price of shrimp seed increased. Production of shrimp seed therefore became important for shrimp farming in Bangladesh. Presently about 50 hatcheries produce shrimp seed and their hatchery capacity is not being fully utilised. Limited technical know-how and viral infected (white spot syndrome virus) seed are the major constraints for the shrimp industry in the country. Despite this, shrimp culture is increasing in popularity in Bangladesh because of the potential profitability.
Market channels for aquatic animal products in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Authors: Nguyen Thi Dieu Phuong
Published: April 2021

Hanoi is one of the two biggest cities in Vietnam and one of the most densely populated cities in the world with about 3,000 people km-2 and more than 1 million visitors annually. A large amount of aquatic animal products (AAPs) is required to feed them. These products include both marine and freshwater products. Marine products are mainly stored on ice while a small quantity is sold live or fresh. Freshwater products are sold live or fresh. The marine products come from the coastal provinces in north Vietnam. The freshwater products come from both Hanoi (10-20%) and neighbouring provinces (80-90%) such as Bac Ninh, Ha Tay, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Nam Ha, Phu Tho and Vinh Phuc. In Hanoi, AAPs are produced mainly in Thanh Tri district. Some special AAPs may come from Ho Chi Minh City, South Vietnam.
Links between pond and dike, their potential and impacts on livelihood.
Authors: Karim Manjurul , Wahab Md. Abdul , Little David , Shamsul Md. , Marc V.
Published: April 2021

Aquaculture and horticulture are interlinked and both of these agricultural components have considerable importance in the economy of Bangladesh. Most people in this country depend on fish as the principal source of animal protein. Vegetables are also considered by Bangladeshi people as important food items and as a source of micronutrients. Ponds, among various inland water bodies, are the most important water reservoir, providing access to fish, irrigation for surrounding vegetables and rice crops and water for family use, and thus are an integral part of rural and peri-urban households. Integration of crops with fish farming through pond-dike systems may be an economically viable and productive system for both richer and poorer farmers in rural and peri-urban areas in Bangladesh. High-cost inputs in fish farming are not needed in such pond-dike systems, therefore reducing the cost of inputs, provided that there is proper integration between pond and crops grown in the vicinity. A community-level assessment of the importance and role of pond-dike systems and a baseline study, carried out in villages in Mymensingh district in early 2002 by the Pondlive project funded by the European Commission, are outlined.
Kandhkelgaon story - a bold bid by women in Kandhkelgaon Village to break out of their poverty trap.
Authors: Haylor Graham
Published: April 2021

This case study tells the story of the village of Kandhkelgaon in Saintala Block, Bolangir district, Orissa, India, and the role that aquaculture and fisheries can play in the livelihoods of people who are poor in eastern India. It describes how women who could no longer make a living from weaving formed a self-help group (SHG) to start aquaculture activities and how success came, not just through income generation but also by reducing the cost of being poor by achieving access to more financial products such as life insurance and savings. The story highlights the influences that constrain and enhance development, including the value of social capital, the struggle for entitlements, and the sheer bravery and entrepreneurial spirit of people who are poor.
Integration of agri-aqua systems - the Israeli experience.
Authors: Kolkovski Sagiv , Hulata Gideon
Published: April 2021

Israel is located in the Middle East between Africa, Asia and Europe. Like many semi-arid countries, it faces a water shortage due to limited rainfall and freshwater sources. However, in spite of climatic constraints and overall shortage of water, both agriculture and aquaculture are highly developed. Different methods and solutions to maximize water use were developed to deal with the impediments of water and weather. Agriculture is largely intensive and dependent on irrigation from reservoirs during the dry summer. These irrigation reservoirs are also used for fish culture, in integrated farming systems. Large-scale recirculation systems are in use in which water from fish ponds, and/or tanks in greenhouses or outdoors, is passed through large sediment ponds and water treatment systems before returning to the culture systems. A combination of irrigation reservoirs and fishponds/tanks is also used. Other combinations of fishponds and agricultural crops are also trialed and in use.
Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) in ponds and cages in China.
Authors: Yi Yang , Wu Zong-wen
Published: April 2021

In China, broodstock conditioning of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) is conducted in earthen ponds at a density of 2,250 - 3,000 kg ha-1 and at a male to female ratio of 1:1 or 1:1.25. Vegetation such as duckweed and rye grass and small amounts of farm-made or commercial feed are given. Nursing from fry to fingerlings (early nursing) is done in nursery ponds at a density of 1,500,000 - 2,250,000 fish ha-1 (150-225 m-2). After nursing for 20-30 days, the fish reach 3-4 cm in length and are released into fingerling nursery ponds for advanced nursing. Fingerlings are stocked in fingerling nursery ponds at a density of 3,250-4,000 fingerlings ha-1 (0.325-0.40 m-2). The main feed is pellet feed and grass. After 6 months of culture, the fish can reach 800 g. Then they are released into grow-out ponds or cages. Stocking rates for ponds are 1,650-2,000 fish ha-1 (0.165-0.20 m-2) and 50-80 fish m-2 for cages. Mixed feed is used as the main feed and grass is given as supplementary feed. The fish can reach 1.5-2.0 kg in 1 year and 3.5-5.0 kg in 2 years.
Determination of breeding performances of some commercial fishes of the Bay of Bengal.
Authors: Das Nami
Published: April 2021

Bangladesh is blessed with a coastline of 710 km along the north and north-east part of the Bay of Bengal, having a water area of about 48,365 nmi2 (165,887 km2), as large as the country itself. In these marine and coastal waters there are about 475 species of fish, many of which play an important role in the national economy in both employment in fisheries and income generation. Identification of the breeding pattern of commercial fish is important for hatchery installation as well as coastal aquaculture. Summarized data of breeding performances such as breeding season, body length and weight, gonad weight and fecundity of 15 marine fish of the coastal and offshore waters of Bangladesh are given. The breeding pattern of the fish shows a prolonged spawning season, almost throughout the year. Variations in body length and weight, and in gonad weight and fecundity in the marine environment are also given. As these fish are marine, spawning occurs in a salinity of about 30‰ and following larval development in offshore waters, juveniles migrate towards shallow coastal waters, for shelter and feeding, where they pass their young life.
Development of technology and extension for small-scale fish farms in northeast Thailand.
Authors: Edwards Peter
Published: April 2021

This case study was prepared as part of an Asian Development Bank (ADB) Special Evaluation Study on Small-Scale Freshwater Rural Aquaculture for Poverty Reduction. It was specifically prepared with the intention to examine the processes in developing appropriate technology options for small-scale fish farming, and to assess the relevance and role of extension for resource poor fish farmers, by drawing on non-ADB experiences of cooperative efforts to develop technology and extension for small-scale household level fish farming. The Aqua Outreach Programme (AOP) of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and the Department of Fisheries (DOF) of Thailand undertook these cooperative efforts. These have taken place in northeast Thailand, the poorest region of the country, and have involved partnerships with a range of local government agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs), and farmers. Freshwater aquaculture is relatively new in northeast Thailand (Setboonsarng, 1994). Although aquaculture is increasing, most of the increase is by better-off farmers, especially in peri-urban areas, and aquaculture remains underdeveloped in most rural areas. The first major aim of the research partnership between DOF and the AOP was to develop appropriate technology for poor farmers in resource poor areas of Asia, with northeast Thailand as a pilot area, because of its marginal characteristics. The research partnership proceeded along a learning curve as it developed appropriate technology and extension for small-scale farmers in resource-poor areas. Assessment of impact of the piloted initiatives demonstrated that the technologies produced by the research had relevance for pro-poor aquaculture under social and economic conditions prevailing at the time the research was carried out. The technologies comprised nursing fish fry to large fingerlings in hapas (fine mesh net cages) in the farmer's pond, and supplementing buffalo manure with urea for pond fertilization for growout (farming of seed fish to market size) following stocking of large fingerlings in fish ponds. As the Thai economy expanded rapidly, a more productive growout technology was piloted as the opportunity cost of labour, and therefore of remaining labour on-farm, had risen. This consisted of hapa nursing followed by growout of sex-reversed Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in an inorganically fertilized pond. A distance extension system was piloted because of the absence of a conventional aquaculture extension system.
Bonamiosis in Australasian aquaculture and in the New Zealand wild capture fishery.
Authors: Jones J
Published: April 2021

In Australasia, bonamiosis (the disease caused by haplosporidian parasites of the genus Bonamia) was first reported from the New Zealand dredge fishery in the 1980s, and was subsequently reported from oyster farms in both Australia and New Zealand.In New Zealand, Foveaux Strait separates Stewart Island from the South Island. The strait was famous for the quality of the dredge oyster beds that had been fished continuously since the 1860s and were believed to have been carefully managed through a limited effort fishery and a quota.In 1985, fishers reported the occurrence of large numbers of freshly dead oysters on the western central beds. Subsequent examination by aquatic animal health specialists from the Research Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (now the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Ltd.) revealed that affected oysters were infected with a species of the haplosporidian parasite, Bonamia exitiosus. Monitoring of the beds in the strait over the next 8 years documented the decline in catch and eventually, in 1993, the fishery was closed. Because of the shortage of oysters and the high prices that were anticipated, a number of aquaculture ventures began in New Zealand during the 1990s, mostly using suspended tray culture. However, attempts failed due to the disease. Also in the 1990s there were attempts to farm Ostrea angasi in Australia. Outbreaks of bonamiosis occurred in oyster farms in Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. The ongoing mortalities have made farming this type of oyster uneconomic in Western Australia. However, some farming of O. angasi is undertaken in New South Wales where bonamiosis has not been reported. This is one of the few examples of a non-introduced disease agent destroying a wild fishery and aquaculture. Recent research has suggested that the impact of the fishery may have triggered the epizootic in Foveaux Strait as well as causing outbreaks in cultivated oysters. This has lessons for fisheries managers.
Aquaculture and poverty in the coastal areas of the Philippines.
Authors: Iz Xavier , Stevenson James R.
Published: April 2021

The relationship between aquaculture and poverty was investigated in five coastal communities in the Philippines which practiced different forms of extensive and semi-intensive fish polyculture. The methodological approach combined the qualitative analysis of how this relationship was perceived by the surveyed households and a quantitative analysis of the levels and determinants of poverty and inequality in these communities. There is overwhelming evidence that aquaculture benefited the poor in important ways and that it was perceived positively by poor and non-poor alike. In particular, the poor derived a relatively larger share of their income from aquaculture than the rich, and a lowering of the poverty line only reinforced this result. Further, it was established that aquaculture represents an inequality-reducing source of income. The pro-poor character of aquaculture in this case study is explained by the fact that the sector provided employment to a large number of unskilled workers in communities characterised by large surpluses of labour.
Agroecological zone-specific fish culture systems in Tien Giang province, Mekong delta, Vietnam.
Authors: Griffiths Donald
Published: April 2021

The Rural Extension for Aquaculture Development (READ) project, which operated in Cambodia and Vietnam from 1998 to 2001, confirmed that improved fish production could make significant contributions to the nutrition, well-being and cash income of poor and marginal rural households with small ponds. READ tested a sustainable approach for small-scale aquaculture extension. Farmer problems and needs were first identified for (i) flood prone, (ii) limited water exchange or saline intrusion, (iii) inland and (iv) acid sulphate agro-ecological zones. Farmer-managed on-farm trials to test technologies under appropriate social conditions, on-farm research and on-station research were then conducted, leading to the identification and development of agro-specific aquaculture technologies appropriate for poor and marginal households. Technologies were disseminated to farmers and institutions through the development of extension materials, direct training, and visit programmes for farmers and staff from other key institutions. Project impact was maximised by the use of mass media, including a series of radio programmes, the production of three television documentaries and a series of 12 extension leaflets in Vietnamese used to support training, 9 of which were reprinted with funding from the Central Extension Centre after READ ended. Significant READ successes included the breeding of several indigenous fish species; the establishment of localised fish seed distribution networks of hatcheries and nurseries; and the Vietnam Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development providing credit for fish culture for the first time on the strength of READ trial farmer results. READ moreover facilitated the establishment of a pilot aquaculture extension network at the community level; strengthened links and information flow between key stakeholders; and provided training and support to agencies and institutions (formal and informal) that influence and support the livelihoods of farmers.
Clover yellow mosaic virus.
Authors: Hammond Rosemarie
Published: April 2021

Clover yellow mosaic virus is not recommended for regulation as a quarantine pest by EPPO and is not included in the EPPO Alert List. A comprehensive pest risk analysis was performed by the UK Food and Environment Agency (FERA): https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/phiw/riskRegister/downloadExternalPra.cfm?id=3804.
Jatropha integerrima (peregrina).
Authors: Vélez-Gavilán Jeanine
Published: April 2021

A datasheet on Jatropha integerrima covering, as an economically important tree, its taxonomy, importance, silviculture, distribution, biology and ecology, uses, products and pests.
Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

A datasheet on Parthenocissus quinquefolia covering, as an economically important tree, its taxonomy, importance, silviculture, distribution, biology and ecology, uses, products and pests.
Paspalum millegrana (yerba brava).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

Paspalum millegrana is a perennial grass that forms tough clumps up to 2 m high. Within its native distribution range it is considered a weed of swampy grounds, periodically flooded sites, stream banks, lakesides, areas near mangroves and beaches, irrigation channels, and moist disturbed sites. This species spreads easily by seeds and vegetatively by stem fragments. To date, P. millegrana is only listed as invasive in Cuba.
Paspalum virgatum (sword grass).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

Paspalum virgatum is a perennial grass that behaves as a weed, with densely tufted shoots that can grow up to 2 m tall. This species can be found invading swampy grounds, roadsides, pastures and disturbed sites. It spreads by seeds and vegetatively by stem fragments and stolons. Once established, it rapidly becomes the dominant species in grasslands, reducing the commercial value of pasture and displacing desirable grasses and other plant species. Currently, P. virgatum is listed as a weed in Australia and as invasive in Cuba and Taiwan.
Aloysia citrodora (lemon verbena).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

Aloysia citrodora is a shrub native to Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay that has been extensively introduced in tropical and warm temperate regions as an aromatic, ornamental and medicinal plant. It is often planted in gardens and as a potted plant. It has escaped from cultivation and also grows spontaneously after cultivation. This species has the capability to spread by seeds and vegetatively from stem fragments or cuttings. Currently, A. citrodora is listed as invasive in Cuba and South Africa, and it can be found naturalized in a wide range of habitats and regions around the world. It is included in the Global Compendium of Weeds.
Carludovica palmata (Panama hat plant).
Authors: Dube Shruti
Published: April 2021

Carludovica palmata is a large herbaceous plant resembling a small palm tree, native to Central America and northern South America. It has been widely introduced and cultivated because of its ornamental value and its use as a source of fibre, in particular for making Panama hats. It is considered naturalized on many Caribbean Islands, and is recorded as invasive in Cuba. It has been seen to be naturalizing in the forest understorey on Upolu, Samoa. Thus, although there is little evidence of any negative impact, it is considered as an invasive or potentially invasive plant on tropical islands such as the Cook Islands and Samoa. It is one of the invasive species of environmental concern in Guam, Hawaii and Papua New Guinea (Space et al., 2003). On the basis of its potential for spreading, the risk assessment in PIER (2018) classifies it as 'High risk'.
Erechtites hieraciifolius (American burnweed).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

Erechtites hieraciifolius is a fast-growing, annual herb that is native to North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. It is recorded as an environmental and agricultural weed in areas both within and outside its native distribution. Mature plants can produce large amounts of wind-dispersed seed, facilitating the colonisation of new areas. It is adapted to grow in a wide range of disturbed anthropogenic habitats and can outcompete other species to form dense populations. It may also spread as a seed contaminant of crops. Currently, it is listed as invasive in Hong Kong, Hawaii, the Galapagos Islands, French Polynesia, Palau, US Minor Outlying Islands, New Zealand and Hungary. It is also considered a potential weed in Australia, where it is under quarantine.
Solidago sempervirens (seaside goldenrod).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

Solidago sempervirens is a herb native to North America that has been introduced as an ornamental and to combat soil erosion and stabilize dunes. This species is highly tolerant of both saline soils and salt spray and can be found growing in coastal thickets, salt marshes, sand dunes and the banks of estuaries and lakes, but also in grasslands, disturbed sites, forest edges and along roadsides. This species is adapted to grow in a wide range of climates (from tropical to a humid continental and temperate oceanic climates) and produces large amount of wind-dispersed seeds, which are features that may facilitate its spread into new habitats. S. sempervirens also produces allelochemicals that suppress the establishment and growth of other plant species. Currently, it is listed as invasive in the USA, Japan, the Dominican Republic, the Azores and Australia.
Thelypteris opulenta (jewelled maiden fern).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

Thelypteris opulenta is a perennial fern, native to tropical Asia and Madagascar, that has been introduced as an ornamental to gardens and amenity areas. It produces numerous spores that are easily dispersed by wind and water. It also spreads via rhizomes, stolons and tubers, which are often dispersed to new areas in dumped garden waste. T. opulenta is known to have escaped from cultivation and grows as a weed in disturbed sites, secondary forests and along roadsides and trails. It is listed as a common weed in moist and wet habitats in Central and South America and has been listed as an invasive species in Peru, Costa Rica (Cocos Island) and Cuba.
Leptochloa fusca (sprangletop).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa , Parker Chris
Published: April 2021

Leptochloa fusca is a perennial weed with a global distribution. It is an aggressive species showing a competitive advantage in many situations due to its tolerance of saline and alkaline soils and its likely ability to fix nitrogen. It is commonly a serious weed of rice in many countries. It is recorded as invasive in Cuba, Hawaii and in the Chagos Archipelago (as L. fusca subsp. uninervia) and has been the subject of an 'eradication action' in Europe.
Sporobolus tenuissimus (tropical dropseed).
Authors: Vélez-Gavilán Jeanine
Published: April 2021

S. tenuissimus is a tropical annual grass listed as invasive only in Cuba; where it is present and abundant throughout the country (Oviedo Prieto et al., 2012; Catasús Guerra, 2015). Although Catasús Guerra (1997) listed the species as with almost no aggressive behaviour, by 2015 the same author listed it as a non-desirable grass. It is reported as present in Cuba since the second half of the twentieth century, possibly arriving with hurricane winds and extending through the whole country in less than 15 years (Catasús Guerra,1997). Duistermaat (2004) cites the species as spreading rapidly in India, Indonesia and Thailand and as expected to spread more in Singapore and Malaysia. It is possibly a contaminant in soil or garden material (Duistermaat, 2004). It is listed as introduced but non-invasive for south Florida, USA (Mortellaro et al., 2012).
Triumfetta bogotensis (parquet bur).
Authors: Areces-Berazain Fabiola
Published: April 2021

Triumfetta bogotensis is a weedy shrub, native to tropical America, that grows in shaded roadsides, pastures, wastelands, woodland margins and disturbed forest sites. It has been listed as a transformer invasive in Cuba, but some other sources consider it native in this country.
Crotalaria verrucosa (blue-flower rattlepod).
Authors: Ventosa-Febles Eduardo A.
Published: April 2021

Crotalaria verrucosa is a herbaceous annual native to Asia and parts of Oceania, now found widely naturalized throughout the tropics and subtropics, sometimes grown as a cover crop, intercrop and soil improver. It is a common weed of roadsides, marshes and agricultural land that can grow rapidly and develop ground cover. However, some studies have shown it does not adversely affect yield when grown with crops such as maize and cassava, while out-competing other weeds. It has not been classified as an invasive species in any country.
Emilia coccinea (scarlet tasselflower).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

As many other species within the genus Emilia, E. coccinea is herb that behaves as an environmental and agricultural weed. This fast-growing herb has the potential to rapidly colonize disturbed areas, waste grounds, gardens, forest edges, pastures, active and abandoned cultivated lands, roadsides, dry thickets and riverbanks. This species is adapted to grow in a wide range of environmental conditions and has wind-dispersed seeds, which are features that may facilitate its spread into new habitats. It is listed as invasive in Hawaii, Dominican Republic and New Caledonia.
Sida repens (Javanese fanpetals).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

Sida repens is a perennial herb native to Central America and parts of South America that grows as a weed in disturbed sites, wastelands, pastures and on roadsides. It has been classified as a weed in Cuba and as invasive in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. This weedy species produces prickly fruits that attach to animal fur or human clothing, facilitating seed dispersal.
Lemna aequinoctialis (lesser duckweed).
Authors: Vélez-Gavilán Jeanine
Published: April 2021

Lemna aequinoctialis is a tiny free-floating aquatic plant. It is listed as an invasive species in New Caledonia and Cuba. It can become abundant in freshwater lakes, pools, canals and slow flowing rivers and has been reported as a transformer species in Cuba.
Ruellia macrophylla (large leaved ruellia).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

R. macrophylla is an herb or small shrub occasionally planted as ornamental for its bright red flowers. Within its native distribution range, this species is listed as "rare" or "uncommon" (Davidse et al., 2012; Missouri Botanical Garden, 2017). To date, R. macrophylla has been listed as invasive only in Cuba (Oviedo Prieto et al., 2012). However, the status and distribution of R. macrophylla on this island is uncertain and while some authors classify this species as "alien" and "invasive" in Cuba, other authors consider it as native for this island (Acevedo-Rodríguez and Strong, 2012; USDA-ARS, 2017).
Lupinus plattensis (Nebraska lupine).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

Lupinus plattensis is a fast-growing, perennial herb native to the USA. It can be weedy or invasive primarily in disturbed and ruderal areas, within and outside its native distribution range. The species spreads both by seed and vegetatively by rootstocks, and has the potential to rapidly colonize disturbed areas. Currently, it is listed as invasive only in the Dominican Republic, although no specific impacts have been recorded.
Coix lacryma-jobi (Job's-tears).
Authors: Areces-Berazain Fabiola , Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

Coix lacryma-jobi is a grass indigenous to Southern and Eastern Asia that has been introduced in tropical and warm temperate regions as a cereal, fodder and forage crop, and for its attractive grains which are used as beads for making rosaries, necklaces, and other objects. It has escaped cultivation and become naturalized in more than 90 countries, often occurring as a weed in humid and disturbed sites, along waterways and forest edges, wetlands and swamps. C. lacryma-jobi is a robust grass that grows forming dense and tall clumps that block the flow of waterways and outcompete native vegetation. It is listed as invasive in Singapore, Australia, New Caledonia, the Cook Islands, the Galapagos, Greece Hawaii, French Polynesia, Mexico, Brazil, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Jamaica and on many islands in the Pacific and Indian Ocean. It is regarded as potentially invasive in the Mascarene Islands (Mauritius, Reunion and Rodrigues).
Dieffenbachia seguine (dumb cane).
Authors: Kaufman Sylvan
Published: April 2021

Dieffenbachia seguine, commonly called dumb cane, is a herbaceous plant native from the Caribbean and South America that is widely cultivated as an ornamental. It has invaded intact forest ecosystems in Samoa and become widely naturalized where planted as an ornamental. Plants are considered weeds in some tropical plantations within and outside the plant's native range. The species can spread via seed and vegetatively from discarded garden waste. All parts of the plant are highly toxic to people and pets.
Derris elliptica (tuba root).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

Derris elliptica is a large and fast-growing climber that is cultivated primarily across tropical regions of the world for its roots, which are used as fish poison and as the source of the natural insecticide rotenone. This species is adapted to a wide range of climates and soil types and spreads sexually by seed and vegetatively by stem fragments. It has successfully escaped from cultivation to become naturalized principally in disturbed areas and secondary forests. D. elliptica often behaves as an aggressive weed and, once established, climbs over other trees and shrubs forming a dense canopy that smothers vegetation, fences, forests, pastures, plantations and cultivated land. D. elliptica is now listed as invasive in Fiji, French Polynesia, Hawaii, Palau, Japan and Cuba.
Acacia auriculiformis (northern black wattle).
Authors: Vélez-Gavilán Jeanine
Published: April 2021

A. auriculiformis is a tree from the legume family that has been introduced into tropical and subtropical areas as an ornamental, for reforestation, soil improvement and for its wood and pulp (PROTA, 2016). In Florida, USA, A. auriculiformis is a category 1 alien plant (Langeland and Burks, 1998), and it is prohibited in Miami-Dade County (PROTA, 2016). It is listed as invasive in Asia (Bangladesh, Singapore), Africa (Comoros, Mayotte, Tanzania), North America (Florida, USA), the Caribbean (Bahamas) and Oceania (Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam) (Islam, 2002; SE-EEPC, 2002; Tan and Tan, 2002; Kotiluoto et al., 2009; PIER, 2016). Space and Flynn (2000) list it among species that are invasive elsewhere and are invasive or potentially invasive on the Pacific island of Chuuk. A. auriculiformis is presently rare or uncommon in American Samoa but was listed among those naturalized species considered invasive elsewhere and classed as common or weedy (Space and Flynn, 2000). The species is also listed as a category 2 invasive plant species in the Bahamas (BEST Commission, 2003). Islam (2002) reports that following recent introduction of this species to Bangladesh, A. auriculiformis germinates naturally in plantation forests and prevents the germination of native species. It is one of 17 plant species named on a preliminary list of invasive alien species for Singapore (Tan and Tan, 2002). Starr et al. (2003) recommended the eradication of the species in Hawaii, USA, to prevent its invasion.
Inga punctata (ice cream bean tree).
Authors: Dube Shruti
Published: April 2021

Inga punctata is a fast-growing species native to the Americas, ranging from Mexico to northern South America and some Caribbean islands. The species can rapidly invade space once available. In forests it will spread to occupy any gap whether it is natural or man-made and outcompete native species (González-Oliva, 2015). It has been introduced in Cuba where it is reported as invasive in the mesic forests of Sierra del Rosario.
Lagerstroemia speciosa (Pride of India).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

L. speciosa is a tree species widely commercial for ornamental purposes and as roadside trees. This species is very appreciated in the horticulture market for its large, showy, bright pink to lavender flowers (Gilman and Watson, 1993; Randall, 2012, USDA-ARS, 2017). It is often planted in gardens, yards and parks, around parking lots, and along highways (Gilman and Watson, 1993 Orwa et al., 2009). L. speciosa has escaped from cultivation and now it can be found naturalized in waste places, disturbed sites, open grasslands, and along roadsides in a great variety of climates (Orwa et al., 2009). It has a wide spreading crown and a dense root system with the potential to alter soil conditions and inhibit the establishment of native vegetation in the understory. Currently it is listed as invasive in Belize, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands (Balick et al., 2000; Chacón and Saborío, 2012; Rojas-Sandoval and Acevedo-Rodríguez, 2015).
Lonicera confusa.
Authors: Chabert José L.
Published: April 2021

L. confusa is a perennial vine belonging to the honeysuckle family and is native to China, Nepal and Vietnam. It has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is listed as an invasive species in Cuba and is also reported as one of the 46 most widespread invasive plants on the island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean. Despite this, there is no information available about its economic, social or environmental impacts or any methods for prevention or control of the species.
Lathyrus odoratus (sweet pea).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

Lathyrus odoratus is a fast-growing, annual herb native only to southwest Italy and Sicily, but widely introduced as an ornamental. The ability of this species to tolerate a wide range of habitats, including disturbed areas, roadsides, secondary forests, as well as natural forests, means that it has the potential to spread much further than it has to date. This species has a climbing or sprawling habit, and consequently, has the capability to displace native species. Currently it is considered invasive in New Zealand and 'possibly invasive' in the Dominican Republic. However, in its native range it is listed as Near Threatened, as it is subject to wild collection threat due to its commercial value.
Luffa acutangula (angled luffa).
Authors: Chabert-Llompart Jose
Published: April 2021

L. acutangula is a large, annual climbing plant, grown commercially for its unripe fruits which are used as a vegetable (PROTA, 2016). Native to southern Asia, it is now widely found in tropical and subtropical parts of the world (USDA-ARS, 2016). It grows vigorously, producing long stems that scramble over the ground or climb into nearby vegetation, supporting themselves by means of tendrils (Useful Tropical Plants, 2016). It is listed as invasive in Cuba (Oviedo Prieto et al., 2012) and on Diego Garcia Island in the Indian Ocean (PIER, 2016).
Pachira insignis (wild chestnut).
Authors: Areces-Berazain Fabiola
Published: April 2021

Pachira insignis is a tree native to the Amazon basin in South America. It is cultivated in the region as an ornamental shade tree and has been introduced for this purpose in the West Indies. It has been listed as invasive only in Dominican Republic (Kairo et al., 2003; Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, 2012; Randall, 2012).
Aeginetia indica (forest ghost flower).
Authors: Vélez-Gavilán Jeanine
Published: April 2021

Aeginetia indica is not considered as an invasive species in its native range and it is not known to occur as an introduced species elsewhere. It has a wide distribution in Asia and Oceania (Papua New Guinea), where it is reported as dispersed in scattered locations throughout its range. Although it is listed as common in Thailand, the species is rare and declining elsewhere throughout its native distribution. It has a local IUCN Red List status of "Critically Endangered/Possibly Extinct" in Sri Lanka, with only a small population known after not been recorded for 125 years. Because A. indica is a holoparasite affecting a number of crops, it is a species of concern for some countries outside of its native range. It is designated as a noxious weed in the USA, even without the species being present in the New World. Possible distribution models for A. indica show that the species has a broad invasive potential in tropical and subtropical areas of all continents where potential host crops are grown. The germination requirements and host-specificity of A. indica could be a deterrent for the species expanding outside its native range.
Toxicodendron succedaneum (wax tree).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

Toxicodendron succedaneum is a tree species that has been widely cultivated as a garden and street tree because of its brightly coloured autumn foliage. However, all parts of the plant are highly toxic and can cause severe dermatitis and allergic reactions in humans. T. succedaneum has escaped from cultivation and can be found naturalized along roadsides and in bushlands, woodlands and disturbed areas near cultivation. Traits such as fruits dispersed by birds and high germination rates have facilitated its spread, naturalization and invasion into natural and disturbed areas. Currently, it is listed as invasive in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Brazil and Cuba.
Terminalia catappa (Singapore almond).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

T. catappa is a perennial tree species that has been extensively introduced into littoral habitats, coastal forests, gardens and parks to be used as an ornamental, shade tree, and sand-dune stabilizer (Orwa et al., 2009; ISSG, 2017). This species has become of the most common trees in littoral habitats and beaches across tropical and subtropical regions of America, India, southeastern Asia, and the Pacific Ocean, due in part to human-mediated introductions, the adaptation of its fruits to be dispersed over long-distances by sea currents and its tolerance to salt-spray, coastal-winds and drought conditions (Thomson and Evans, 2006; Brown and Cooprider, 2013). T. catappa is a prolific seed producer and fruits may remain viable for a long time, even after floating in salt water for considerable time periods. This species naturalizes readily in littoral habitats and has been listed as invasive in the United States (Florida and Hawaii), Brazil, the Bahamas, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands where it is displacing native vegetation and altering coastal dynamics (Smith, 2010; Oviedo Prieto et al., 2012; Mir, 2012; Rojas-Sandoval and Acevedo-Rodríguez, 2015; FLEPPC, 2017; I3N-Brazil, 2017; ISSG, 2017).