bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of the ban on postlarvae collection on the livelihoods of fry collectors in Bangladesh.
Authors: Caldwell Debbie
Published: April 2021

Collecting wild shrimp fry is an important livelihood for thousands of poor households in the coastal zone of Bangladesh, although this is a distress-driven occupation. People catch fry because there are few alternative sources of income in coastal areas. Many of the poorest fry catchers are trapped in a cycle of debt with fry traders who buy the fry from them at sub-market prices. Fry collecting is associated with high levels of by-catch and the Government attempted to ban the practice in 2002. However, a continuing demand for wild fry, a lack of enforcement resources, pressure from wild fry traders and the limited alternative livelihoods for fry catchers mean that this fishing practice is likely to continue. The effect of the ban is to criminalise the poorest segment of the coastal community and expose them to toll collection from local enforcement agencies. The solution lies not in regulating the capture of wild fry but in providing alternative livelihood opportunities and social support mechanisms for fry catchers, improving the quality of hatchery fry to reduce the demand for wild fry, and targeting regulatory measures to destructive types of gear (including the 'behundi' net) and sensitive areas.
Importance of the Sundarban mangrove forest as a fisheries resource.
Authors: Huq Khandaker , Rahman Shafiqur
Published: April 2021

The Sundarban mangrove forest has a significant contribution to the fisheries resources of Bangladesh from the ecological and economic points of view. Information regarding the topic has been collected from GOs and NGOs. The total land area of the Sundarbans is 577,285 ha, of which 401,685 ha is land area and 175,600 ha is water bodies. The water bodies support a diversified fisheries resource and, in the case of some fisheries species, serves as an obligatory spawning and nursery ground. Among the fisheries resources, 400 species of 63 families of fishes, 5 families of shrimp, 4 families of crabs, 15 families of mollusks, and some reptiles and mammals of fisheries importance have been recorded. The production and income from Sundarban fisheries resources in 1999-2000 was 3,355 t and Tk 9,136,870, respectively. These resources are, howver, now under threat due to improper management and conservation. Realizing its importance, steps should be taken for its sustainable utilization and proper management.
Improved rice-fish farming in the northern uplands of Vietnam.
Authors: Nguyen Xuan Cuong
Published: April 2021

Rice fish culture has been practiced for a long time in the northern uplands of Vietnam. It is quite an extensive farming practice using space in the rice fields for local fish species such as common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and crucian carp (Carassius carassius) and utilizing natural food produced from manure fertilisation. In the last decade, improved culture techniques have been introduced through development projects and rice-fish culture systems are being gradually improved. The rice fields were modified, with trenches and fish refuges constructed. Cultured species were diversified, which included grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and silver barb (Barbonymus gonionotus). Local farmers became aware of the benefits of using large size fingerlings and a suitable stocking density. Apart from the natural food found in the rice fields, agricultural by-products were used as supplementary feed for fish. As a result, fish yields significantly increased. In addition to rice, farmers can obtain about 440 kg of fish ha-1 of rice field.
Inland shrimp farming in Thailand.
Authors: Lin Chang
Published: April 2021

In Thailand, marine shrimp was traditionally produced extensively for decades in coastal ponds. The insatiable global demand for shrimp products in recent years intensified and expanded shrimp culture in Thailand throughout the 1990s. Few regulations or guidelines were imposed on developing coastal land for shrimp farming. The boom resulted in rapid degradation of the coastal environment and widespread disease outbreaks, causing repeated crop failures in shrimp culture. In contrast, shrimp cultured in low-salinity ponds away from the coast experienced great success. As a result, thousands of hectares of rice paddies in the Thai heartland distant from the seacoast were converted to low-salinity shrimp farming. Large quantities of high-salinity brine (100-200 ppt) were transported from coastal salt pans to fill inland ponds to a salinity less than 5 ppt. Other than the salinity difference, low-salinity shrimp culture was generally similar to that in the coastal ponds. Shrimp were stocked at high density (50-100 PLs m-2) in a closed system. The shrimp production commonly exceeded 10 t ha-1 crop-1 in 3-4 months. During the peak period, shrimp production from inland areas accounted for nearly 40% of total annual production of shrimp at 200,000 t in Thailand. As the economic gain from shrimp production was more than 50-fold that of the rice crop, shrimp culture was regarded as a bonanza for debt-ridden rice farmers. However, inland shrimp farming was short-lived, as the Thai government banned the practice in 1993 on the grounds that it led to salination of soil and groundwater, and ultimately jeopardized the national rice bowl. Despite the ban, low-salinity shrimp farming still exists in areas where intrusion of natural seawater occurs. However, with persistent disease problems encountered in culturing native Penaeus monodon, the exotic white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) has become the major species.
Integrated poultry-fish farming in Bangladesh.
Authors: Hoq
Published: April 2021

The integration of fish culture with poultry raising holds great promise and potential for augmenting production of animal protein, betterment of the economy, and generation of employment in rural Bangladesh. In integrated poultry-fish farming, droppings of birds and feed wastes are recycled in ponds for production of fish. By raising 500 chickens in a poultry shed over a 1 hectare pond, a production of 4,000 kg-1 ha-1 yr-1 of fish was obtained. In addition, up to 240 eggs were obtained per bird per year. Broiler-fish is more profitable than layer-fish farming, as the broilers grow fast and are more marketable within 6-8 weeks, thus ensuring a quick cash return for the farmers. A significantly higher production of 4,290 kg-1 ha-1 yr-1 was observed from experimental ponds receiving poultry droppings directly compared to ponds fertilized with manure obtained from a separate source with a production of 3,365 kg-1 ha-1 yr-1.
GIS to assess sites for shrimp farming and salt pans on the Cox's Bazar Coast, Bangladesh.
Authors: Hossain Md. Shahadat
Published: April 2021

Coastal ecosystems are complex, sensitive and subject to influences of nature as well as human interference. The Cox's Bazar coastal zone in Bangladesh is heavily populated because of an abundance of natural resources derived from the intertidal flood plain, accreted mud flats, sand dunes, beaches, mangroves and fisheries as well as numerous waterways. Sea salt has been produced on the Cox's Bazar coast since time immemorial by solar evaporation of seawater. Shrimp culture has become a focal point of coastal resource development over the past two decades. Due to the lack of appropriate guidelines for natural resource conservation and utilization, conflicts in resource use occur in the coastal zone. Spatial development clearly indicates suitability classes of the Cox's Bazar coastal zone for different uses. On the basis of the suitability classes, land use zoning needs to be made for better production, conservation and to maintain environmental balance. Effective management of coastal and marine resources should be based not only on an analysis of individual activities and their impacts but also on the combined effects of sectoral activities on each other and on coastal resources.
Facilitated advocacy - supporting farmers in policy-making and development of service provision.
Authors: Haylor Graham
Published: April 2021

Listening to people, especially those who are poor, and involving them in policy making and decisions about service delivery processes are logical steps in building better services and improving policies aimed at poverty alleviation. This case describes a facilitated advocacy in India that helped to negotiate and support a role for poor people who farm and fish, to contribute recommendations for changes in services and policies that impact their lives. India's Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and the Indian Council for Agricultural Research, both part of the national government in the capital Delhi, have been linking with farmers and fishers and state government officials in the eastern states of Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal, in partnership with the Support to Regional Aquatic Resources Management (STREAM) initiative of the intergovernmental Network of Aquaculture Centers in Asia Pacific (NACA) and with the support of the UK Government Department for International Development, Natural Resources Systems Programme (DFID-NRSP) - Supporting Farmers to Have a Voice.
Facing up to the threat of gyrodactylus salaris to Atlantic salmon.
Authors: Peeler Edmund
Published: April 2021

Gyrodactylus salaris, a skin parasite, is the most important disease threat to Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) populations in Europe. The parasite was regarded as harmless in its original geographic distribution - the Baltic (Finland, Russia and Sweden). However, the parasite spread to Norway, where it has decimated wild salmon populations in 45 rivers, and Russia where a White Sea salmon stock has been affected. Eradication of the parasite has only proved possible through the destruction of all fish within a river; a difficult and environmentally damaging process. Movements of infected rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) have probably resulted in its widespread distribution in Europe. G. salaris illustrates the potential disease threats to wild fish from the movement, both international and national, of farmed fish. The protection of wild Atlantic salmon, already declining and threatened over much of its range, from G. salaris is a serious challenge for scientists and policy makers. Improved methods of eradication, faster and more reliable diagnostic methods, and an assessment of its current distribution are required.
Fisheries co-management - a new approach in some reservoirs in the central highlands of Vietnam.
Authors: Truong Ha Phuong , Phan Dinh Phuc , Phan Thuong Huy , Sollows John
Published: April 2021

Natural resources co-management by local users, concerned local governments, and other stakeholders, with particular attention to the role of the users in resource management, has been strongly encouraged by many projects in Vietnam in recent years. There are many reasons for this. In general, though, various socioeconomic and environmental problems make the need for resource management clear, and management measures must be accepted by the users, if they are to have legitimacy and effectiveness. This paper focuses on the experiences of the Vietnam subcomponent of Management of Reservoir Fisheries, in order to make recommendations to decision-makers (a) on whether or not to promote fisheries co-management more systematically, and (b) how such promotion should be carried out. These recommendations are based on (a) an examination of the economics of co-management and other management systems at selected reservoirs, (b) other less measurable, but very important, costs and benefits, which enter comparative economics equations with difficulty, and (c) other lessons learned from efforts to establish co-management in six reservoirs in Dak Lak province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. In general, participation of fishers in managing the resources on which they depend should be promoted. However, there is great local variation among fishery resources and fishing communities, and no single model will apply to all. Local, not just central, government support is needed for any co-management effort to succeed. Policy guidelines are needed to encourage local governments to support co-management. This should be combined with developing among local officials an increased awareness of the need for user participation. Finally, resource users have very little money and time. They usually cannot afford to invest the resources needed to achieve successful management, so modest compensation for their efforts should normally be part of the process of promoting their participation.
Freshwater pearl culture in China.
Authors: Cao Lin
Published: April 2021

Artificial breeding of freshwater pearl mussels is widely used to improve the yield of pearl culture. All phases of the production cycle, including collection and culture of the broodstock, release of the glochidia, provision of the host fish for glochidia to attach to, and collection of mussel seeds, can be controlled artificially. The advantages of artificial breeding are that it can help to produce high quality pearls and improve the genetic quality of pearl mussels. Collected mussel seed are transferred from holding jars into small 200 µm mesh baskets (10 cm diameter x 5 cm). Each basket was supplied individually with 0.1-0.2 L of water per minute. When the mussels' shell length reaches over 10 cm, they can be operated to culture pearl. After post-operative care the implanted mussels are stocked in ponds. The mussels are kept in nylon bags (2 mussels per bag) and are hung from bamboo or PVC pipes and placed in ponds at 1 m depth. Periodical checking of mussels, with removal of dead ones and cleaning of bags, is required throughout the culture period of 12-18 months.
Destruction of mangroves for shrimp ponds.
Authors: Shahid Md. Abdus
Published: April 2021

The Bangladesh coastal region located at the apex of the Bay of Bengal is endowed with a vast area of mangrove forests covering about 6,900 km2. Mangroves are a group of salt-tolerant trees and other plant species which thrive in the inter-tidal zones of sheltered tropical shores, islands and estuaries. They have specially adapted aerial and salt-filtering roots and salt-excreting leaves that enable them to occupy the saline wetlands where other plant life cannot survive. This forest ecosystem plays an important role for coastal inshore as well as offshore fisheries as it provides food and nursery grounds. Unfortunately, mangrove forests are being denuded for shrimp culture. An important example of mangrove denudation is the Chakaria Sundarban where 8,540 ha of mangrove forest has been encroached upon by shrimp farming. The production of shrimp in the mangrove-cleared area has gradually decreased due to increasing soil acidity and decreasing mangrove litter fall in the area. During the period 1975-2001, a total of 9,734 ha of mangrove forest (less than 2% of the total mangrove forest area of the country) was found to be denuded due to shrimp farming along the Bangladesh coast. Although denudation of mangrove forests is negligible compared to other countries of the region, it is creating environmental problems in the coastal region of Bangladesh.
Developing akoya pearl culture on the Australian east coast, challenges and constraints.
Authors: O'Connor Wayne , Heasman Michael P.
Published: April 2021

Developing aquaculture in increasingly urbanized societies poses significant challenges. An example has been the recent attempt to establish a pearl industry in the sub-tropical waters of New South Wales (NSW) on the Australian east coast. NSW is Australia's most populous state with the vast majority of the population and development occurring along its coast. This development has led to conflict over land and water use. In 1993, interest began in developing a marine pearl industry using the native pearl oyster Pinctada imbricata. The NSW Government was approached and research was undertaken to establish the status of the P. imbricata population in NSW, its amenity to culture, its capacity to produce high quality pearls and the likely impacts that a pearl industry might have. In 2001 the first application to establish a 92 ha commercial farm was made, which met with considerable local public opposition. Concerns regarding the social, economic and environmental impact were raised and the government responded by establishing an independent Commission of Inquiry. While the Commission recommended that, with certain constraints, the farm could proceed, the government ultimately overturned the decision citing environmental concerns and refused the development application. A subsequent, significantly altered application was lodged in late 2003, but this application also met with local opposition and was similarly refused in mid-2004. Despite research confirming the environmentally benign nature of the proposal and the confirmation of economic viability, the failure to initially effectively allay public concerns ultimately prevented the acceptance these two applications. The future of a pearl industry in NSW is now unclear.
Development of low-cost marine fish cages in northern central Vietnam.
Authors: Nhu Van Can Van Can
Published: April 2021

Research on cages for marine aquaculture in the northern central region of Vietnam has led to the introduction of two low-cost cages (LG-60 and BG-210) constructed from small floats, nets, rope and anchors, and an improved wooden raft (LC-160) modified from locally-made cages. The hexagonal LG-60 and octagonal BG-210 are cheap and highly flexible, while the improved wooden raft (LC-160) constructed from four hexagonal units has strong construction and is appropriate for family-scale production. The new designs are strengthened with a dynamic mooring system, which can absorb much of the kinetic energy of the rapidly changing forces that the cage is subjected to during severe conditions. These cages have performed well in the harsh conditions of the northern central coast and have survived the monsoon. This research shows that there is an opportunity for mariculture development even in exposed areas.
Culture-based fisheries - oxbow lakes.
Authors: Rahman Md.
Published: April 2021

Oxbow lakes or baors are a major resource for culture-based fisheries in Bangladesh. Most of the oxbow lakes are situated in the southwest part of the country, mainly in the five districts of Chuadunga, Faridpur, Jessore, Jhenaidah and Kushtia. Traditionally fishers catch wild fish from the lakes. After implementation of the second Oxbow Lake Project (OLPII), fish yields increased tremendously through culture-based fisheries management. Current yields in oxbow lakes average 760 kg ha-1 year-1, while some lakes produce 1,800 kg ha-1 year-1 (Ramboll, 1998; Ahmed et al., 2003). The oxbow lakes are managed through organized Lake Fishing Teams (LFTs) and Fish Farmer Groups (FFGs), both of them raising fish in oxbow lakes and in so-called "baor fish ponds". Fish production has been increased 3-10 times compared to pre-OLPII intervention with institutionalized fisheries management. The LFTs and FFGs manage the lake properly. Fingerlings are stocked to increase fish production and provide income from the culture-based fisheries. In the baors, 86% of FFG members were female and 67% of women participated in fisheries-related activities.
Carp polyculture in ponds in greater Mymensingh, Bangladesh.
Authors: Colavito Luke
Published: April 2021

The greater Mymensingh area comprises seven districts and a population of over 17 million people (2002). This area was the location of DANIDA's Mymensingh Aquaculture Extension Project (MAEP) implemented jointly with the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) to assess the potential of aquaculture to alleviate poverty. The MAEP (1989-2003) promoted carp polyculture through the development of hatcheries, nurseries, micro-credit, and an extensive training programme targeted at the poorest households. The MAEP played a key role in initiating improved aquaculture practice in Bangladesh. Winrock International was engaged by DANIDA to document the impact of the MAEP. In the Mymensingh area, over 1.4 million households have adopted carp polyculture. Annual income per household from carp polyculture is US$ 145 (2002). Unit yields increased from 1 to 3.3 t ha-1 from 1989 to 2002. Total production has increased from 85,000 to 351,000 t resulting in an annual increase in revenue of US$ 204 million. Over 40% of Bangladesh's aquaculture production now comes from greater Mymensingh, which has less than 10% of the nation's population. The Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for the MAEP investment is 224% and the cost benefit ratio is 1:27. The MAEP has had a profound impact in improving the lives of the rural poor.
Cage culture of lobsters, Vietnam.
Authors: Le Anh Tuan
Published: April 2021

Cage culture of lobsters started in Vietnam in 1992 in Khanh Hoa province. Since 2000, there has been significant expansion in lobster culture in southern central Vietnam from Da Nang City to Binh Thuan province. Ornate or spiny rock lobster (Panulirus ornatus) is the most important cultured species but P. hormarus, P. longipes and P. stimpsoni are also cultured. There are approximately 33,000 grow-out cages of which 17,000 are located in the coastal waters of Khanh Hoa province. These marine cages produce approximately 1,500 t of lobsters with a farm gate value of more than US$40 million in 2003. This case study reviews the current status of cage culture of lobsters, and identifies major technical and socio-economic constraints to further development.
Artificial seed production of Pangasiid catfish in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Phuong
Published: April 2021

The two pangasiid catfish, Pangasius bocourti and P. hypophthalmus, are widely cultured in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. However, seed supply until recently was dependent on fry and fingerlings caught from the Mekong River. In 1994, a research programme was carried out on artificial seed production of these two species in captive conditions. In 1995, about 30,000 fingerlings were first produced in An Giang and Can Tho provinces and a proper technique of induced breeding, progressive human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) treatment, was determined. This technique, involving two steps of hCG injections, successfully induced ovulation in 66% of 67 treated females of P. bocourti. Application of this technique to other pangasiid catfish species such as P. conchophilus, P. hypophthalmus, P. mekongensis, and P. larnaudii also resulted in breeding success. Research on larval rearing has also been conducted to improve the growth and survival of pangasiid larvae. Extension of research findings of induced breeding and larval rearing has allowed mass seed production of pangasiid catfish in the Mekong Delta.
Aquaculture systems in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Authors: Nguyen Thi Dieu Phuong
Published: April 2021

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, with about 3,000 people km-2. Traditionally, aquaculture is practiced in ponds, reservoirs and urban lakes, rice fields, wastewater and VAC [an acronym from the Vietnamese words for garden (vuon), pond (ao) and livestock quarters (chuong)] systems. With over 5,000 ha of surface area and 3,000 ha of lowland rice fields, Hanoi has potential for further aquaculture development and tourism-entertainment services. The importance of aquaculture has long been recognized as a source of income and employment. Nowadays, pond aquaculture in peri-urban areas is decreasing due to urbanization, while in areas far from the city it is increasing through the conversion of lowland rice fields to fish ponds.
Ganoderma philippii (red root rot).
Authors: Paterson R. R. M.
Published: April 2021

G. philippii was described as a root pathogen that is particularly destructive to tropical plantation crops, especially rubber (Steyaert, 1975a). It occurs on many woody and non-woody plant hosts in South-East Asia through Indonesia to Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia (UK CAB International, 1993). Acacia trees are considered as invasive species and as an economic crop (Koutika and Richardson, 2019) and the significance of the disease is from both aspects. A similar situation exists for other trees such as Eucalyptus (Deus et al., 2019). These trees are being considered to combat climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and consequently disease is extremely important. Red root rot is a significant disease of tropical plantations in South-East Asia. In severely infected areas in Malaysia, root rot caused more than 40% mortality of Acacia trees aged between 9 and 14 years. In Indonesia, the disease can kill up to 28% of trees in second-rotation A. mangium plantations in Sumatra and Kalimantan. Second rotation A. mangium and A. crassicarpa plantations trees as young as 6 months old may be killed by red root disease (Gafur et al., 2015).
Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm).
Authors: Rwomushana Ivan
Published: April 2021

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is a lepidopteran pest that feeds in large numbers on the leaves, stems and reproductive parts of more than 350 plant species, causing major damage to economically important cultivated grasses such as maize, rice, sorghum, sugarcane and wheat but also other vegetable crops and cotton. Native to the Americas, it has been repeatedly intercepted at quarantine in Europe and was first reported from Africa in 2016 where it caused significant damage to maize crops. In 2018, S. frugiperda was first reported from the Indian subcontinent (Ganiger et al., 2018; Sharanabasappa Kalleshwaraswamy et al., 2018). It has since invaded Bangladesh, Thailand, Myanmar, China and Sri Lanka (IPPC, 2018b, 2019; FAO, 2019c). The ideal climatic conditions for fall armyworm present in many parts of Africa and Asia, and the abundance of suitable host plants suggests the pest can produce several generations in a single season, and is likely to lead to the pest becoming endemic.
Pseudomonas viridiflava (bacterial leaf blight of tomato).
Authors: Balestra Giorgio M
Published: April 2021

P. viridiflava may very occasionally cause significant crop damage, though it is commonly isolated as a sub-population in the investigation of more vigorous pathogens.
Cinnamomum burmanni (padang cassia).
Authors: Buddenhagen Christopher E.
Published: April 2021

A datasheet on Cinnamomum burmanni covering, as an economically important tree, its taxonomy, importance, silviculture, distribution, biology and ecology, uses, products and pests.
Bambusa tuldoides (punting pole bamboo).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

A datasheet on Bambusa tuldoides covering, as an economically important bamboo or rattan, its taxonomy, importance, cultivation, distribution, biology and ecology, uses, products and pests.
Bromelia pinguin (wild pineapple).
Authors: Dube Shruti
Published: April 2021

Bromelia pinguin is a large, perennial bromeliad with spikey fronds that grow up to two metres long. It often grows in dense colonies. It is native to the Neotropical Region but has been introduced as an ornamental to Florida, Hawaii and other Caribbean islands as well as India and Sri Lanka. Though some sources consider it native to Cuba, it is also recorded as invasive, where it is invading forests and savannahs, displacing native vegetation and providing a niche for small invasive mammals. It is also an alternative host to Pineapple mealybug wilt-associated virus 2 (PMWaV-2), which threatens commercial pineapple farming in Cuba.
Fallopia sachalinensis (giant knotweed).
Authors: Shaw Dick
Published: April 2021

F. sachalinensis is a highly invasive rhizomatous perennial plant capable of reaching 4 m in height, outcompeting and displacing native species in particular in riparian zones which it prefers. It has spread to most areas in its exotic range without the aid of seed dispersal though it does provide pollen for the fertilization of F. japonica plants to produce the highly invasive Fallopia x bohemica. Though not considered as problematic as Japanese knotweed (F. japonica), eradication is a real challenge and often unachievable, especially with restrictions applied to chemical use on or near water thus methods of control are limited.
Ipomoea indica (ocean blue morning-glory).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

Ipomoea indica is a vine that has been widely cultivated as a garden ornamental across tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions of the world (Randall, 2017; USDA-ARS, 2017). It is an aggressive and opportunistic colonizer of open and disturbed habitats that has escaped from cultivation to become widely naturalized in disturbed areas near gardens, coastal areas, forest edges, and along roadsides and waterways. This species spreads by seeds, stolons, and stem fragments and when growing under favourable environmental conditions (e.g., full sun, ample moisture and fertile soil) it can spread very rapidly, smothering all other vegetation growing nearby. Its rapidly growing stolons can form dense mats over the ground, while its climbing habit enables it to compete successfully with trees and shrubs on the edges of forests and along riparian zones. Its twining stems also choke adjacent seedlings and smother young trees and shrubs in the understory (Wagner et al., 1999; Csurches, 2016). Currently, I. indica is listed as invasive in Australia, New Zealand, China, southern Africa, Europe, the West Indies, and on many islands in the Pacific Region (Smith, 2010 BioNET-EAFRINET, 2017; DAISIE, 2017; Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2017; GRIIS, 2017; PIER, 2017; Queensland Government, 2017).
Rubus buergeri.
Authors: Duenas-Lopez Manuel Angel
Published: April 2021

Rubus buergeri is an evergreen, broad-leaved shrub or vine endemic to eastern Asia which has been introduced by the international horticultural trade as an ornamental plant in a few countries, where it is confined to botanical gardens. R. buergeri is known as the 'winter strawberry' in Korea and interestingly produces fruits in December. There is no evidence of escape from cultivation or its naturalization in natural or semi-natural habitats and no further information is available about its impact or invasiveness in its non-native range.
Paspalum densum (dense crowngrass).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

P. densum is a fast-growing grass species naturally distributed across Central and South America and the West Indies (Brummitt, 2013). Within its native distribution range, P. densum is described as a weed of roadsides, disturbed moist places, moist savannas, low open grounds, marshes, swamps and drainage ditches (Hitchcock, 1971; Quattrocchi, 2006). It is listed as invasive only in Cuba (Oviedo Prieto et al., 2012) and as a noxious weed in the region of Bahia in Brazil (Mori et al., 1980).
Dypsis decaryi (triangle palm).
Authors: Duenas-Lopez Manuel Angel
Published: April 2021

Dypsis decaryi is a species of palm tree commonly known as the Triangle Palm, endemic to Madagascar, where it is confined (as a native species) to a small area in the southeast of the island. It has been introduced by the international horticultural trade as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical countries around the world (including other parts of Madagascar). It is not considered to be invasive or an agricultural or environmental weed in any of the current non-native distributions. It is described in the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable in its native distribution (IUCN, 2019), with harvesting, fire and grazing the main threats for populations outside of protected areas.
Macroptilium atropurpureum (siratro).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

Macroptilium atropurpureum is a perennial herb widely cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions of the world as a forage crop, a soil and pasture improver and for ground cover. It is native to tropical America and has been introduced across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Australia and many islands in Oceania. Outside its native distribution range, and in some areas inside its native range, this species is a weed of disturbed sites, roadsides, secondary forests and ungrazed areas. It can form dense stands along forest margins and can also smother native shrubs, grasses and young trees. It has a deep-rooting system and can tolerate extreme drought conditions. Currently, M. atropurpureum is listed as invasive in Hawaii, the Dominican Republic, India, Australia and many islands in Oceania including, Fiji, Palau and Tonga.
Cosmos sulphureus (sulphur cosmos).
Authors: Puttock Christopher F.
Published: April 2021

Cosmos sulphureus is a prolific seed-producing annual herb considered native to Mexico and northern South America. It grows to two metres tall, and sports very attractive heads of yellow flowers. There are numerous popular cultivars of C. sulphureus in the international horticultural trade, resulting in its wide and intentional spread by humans. The species has been known to escape cultivation and to naturalize. It is recorded as an environmental weed and occasionally as an invasive plant in parts of Africa, Asia, North and Central America and Pacific Islands though details of impact are lacking.
Cananga odorata (ylang-ylang).
Authors: Datiles Marianne Jennifer
Published: April 2021

Cananga odorata is a fast growing tree, native to Southeast Asia. It was introduced by humans to the Americas, China, India and Africa for a variety of commercial purposes, including as an ornamental, a source of timber and for its fragrant perfume oils. Its use as a perfume oil have deemed it an important agroforestry species. Although not currently considered to be a high-risk invasive species, it is listed as invasive to many parts of the Pacific and is considered weedy in Central Africa and Pohnpei, and 'persistent' in Puerto Rico. It is also listed as a cultivation escape in Saint Lucia and Costa Rica. As it is pioneering in disturbed areas, a fast grower and can reach heights of up to 30 m tall, the species does possess invasive characteristics that could pose a negative environmental impact.
Bacopa monnieri (water hyssop).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

Bacopa monnieri is an aquatic herb that has been used as an ornamental in ponds and aquaria and as a medicinal herb. It grows gregariously and often forms dense mats in marshy places, mangroves, riverbanks, coastal areas and along streams and ditches. It can tolerate brackish water and has adapted to grow under varying soil and climatic conditions, performing exceptionally well on poorly drained soils and waterlogged areas. It is native to the Americas, Asia and Africa and listed as invasive in Japan, Singapore, Spain, Portugal and the Cayman Islands. In aquatic habitats it has deleterious effects on native plants and animals, water quality, water flow and sedimentation. In terrestrial situations it degrades riverbanks, margins of ponds, lakes and coastal areas.
Moorochloa eruciformis (sweet signal grass).
Authors: Carvajal Vélez Augusto C
Published: April 2021

Moorochlora eruciformis is an annual herb, fodder crop and common agricultural weed, native to Africa, Asia and the Mediterranean; it has also been introduced to the Americas and Oceania. Crop seed contamination is a possible pathway for dispersal of this species. It is reported as invasive in Cuba, Spain and Australia as well as islands in Oceania. Despite this, there is limited information available about the economic and environmental impacts of this species or its dispersal potential.
Breynia disticha (snowbush).
Authors: Vélez-Gavilán Jeanine
Published: April 2021

B. disticha is considered as an invasive shrub to small tree in USA (Florida and Hawaii), Guinea, The British Indian Ocean Territory, Niue and Cuba (Oviedo Prieto et al., 2012; Swearingen and Bargeron, 2016; PIER, 2017). The species invades areas close to where cultivated by root suckers (PIER, 2017). In Cuba it is considered as a transformer species, without further details (Oviedo Prieto et al., 2012). It is regarded as an invasive species in Florida-USA by Swearingen and Bargeron (2016), although it is not in the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council's list of invasive plant species (Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council, 2017). At Dave's Garden (2017) it is considered by the community as an invasive species in southern Florida, having the ability to spread quickly from roots in damp soils. It is not considered as an invasive species for Florida by Gilman (2014). In Hawaii-USA it has escaped from cultivation and is spreading vegetatively around abandoned homesites in Hawaii (PIER, 2017). In Guinea, the green-form of B. disticha is considered as an invasive species along the roadsides, in secondary thickets over many hectares, at the edge of a mangrove and in woodlands (Cheek et al., 2013). As its been found in areas with no evidence of former cultivation, apparently spreading through seeds. It has been collected in fruit at one of the sites. No details about its invasiveness are given for the British Ocean Territory and Niue.
Launaea intybacea (bitter lettuce).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

Launaea intybacea is a fast-growing herb that grows as a weed in disturbed sites, and waste and cultivated land. Its ability to succeed on ruderal and disturbed sites has made L. intybaceae the most widespread species of the genus. This species is also adapted to dry conditions and thus can be found growing in dry and semi-arid habitats. L. intybacea spreads by seeds which can be easily dispersed by wind and water and as a contaminant in soil, on agricultural machinery or stuck to vehicles and clothing. Currently it is listed as invasive in the Bahamas, Cuba and the Dominican Republic and as "potentially invasive" in Jamaica, Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, St Eustatius and Grand Cayman.
Macrothelypteris torresiana (swordfern).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

Macrothelypteris torresiana is a perennial fern native to Asia, Madagascar, the Mascarene Islands and Oceania. It has been widely introduced across the Americas as an ornamental plant. It grows in disturbed areas including roadsides and forest edges and behaves as a weed. It spreads via spores in wind and water but can also spread via stolons and rhizomes in garden waste. Currently, M. torresiana is listed as invasive in Cuba and Brazil and may also be invasive in Hawaii where it is spreading. The impact of this species where it is invasive is largely unknown, but it is possible that its weedy and opportunistic nature results in competition with native species and alteration of successional patterns.
Paspalum paniculatum (Russell River grass).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

P. paniculatum is a fast-growing grass sometimes used as an "auxiliary forage" crop (PROTA, 2016). Within and outside its native distribution, P. paniculatum behaves as an environmental and agricultural weed and can be found growing along roadsides, in disturbed places, moist shrublands, low open grounds, brushy slopes, forests, open ground, croplands and pastures (Zuloaga et al., 2003; Más and Garcia-Molinari, 2006; Más and Lugo, 2013; AusGrass2, 2016). Plants produce numerous seeds with germination rates higher than 85% (range: 86.5 to 99%, PROTA, 2016). Currently, this species is listed as invasive on Hawaii, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Samoa, Northern Marianas Islands, Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau and the Solomon Islands (Wagner et al., 1999; Oviedo Prieto et al., 2012; PIER, 2016; Trinidad and Tobago Biodiversity, 2016).
Cavanillesia platanifolia (cuipo).
Authors: Vélez-Gavilán Jeanine
Published: April 2021

Cavanillesia platanifolia is a deciduous tree native to the Americas from Nicaragua to Peru, that has been introduced in Puerto Rico and Cuba. It is not listed as invasive in any country, although it is considered as potentially invasive species in Cuba, being categorised as a naturalized species with a tendency to proliferate at some localities, with a high diaspore production and high dispersal capacity. Due to its habitat being reduced by urbanisation and agriculture in its native distribution the species is Near Threatened, and is Endangered in Colombia.
Nephrolepis hirsutula (sword fern).
Authors: Vélez-Gavilán Jeanine
Published: April 2021

Nephrolepis hirsutula is a fern native to Asia and the Pacific, and is not recorded as having spread outside of this region. N. hirsutula is reported as an invasive species is in Cuba, however this is due to a misidentification of Nephrolepis brownii. N. brownii, which is considered an aggressive invasive species, is an Asian fern species that has been introduced in the New World. Within its range in Southeast Asia, Australia and the Pacific, N. hirsutula is not considered invasive.
Ambrosia peruviana (Peruvian ragweed).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

Ambrosia peruviana is a short-lived perennial herb native to Central and South America. It is a common weed of pastures, disturbed sites, roadsides and riverbanks. It is also culivated as an ornamental and medicinal herb. Its tendency to grow in isolated clusters amid other vegetation suggested that the plant may possess allelopathic activity, a trait previously reported for other members of the genus. As A. peruviana is fast-growing it has the potential to displace native vegetation in its introduced range, especially after a disturbance such as overgrazing, forest clearance or construction.
Dichanthium caricosum (nadi blue grass).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

D. caricosum has been intentionally introduced as a perennial grazing pasture with excellent ground cover. Now, it can be found widely naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions (Cook et al., 2005; FAO, 2015). It has escaped from cultivation and has become a weed and invasive grass in Cuba, Guam, New Caledonia, and Fiji (MacKee, 1994; Oviedo Prieto et al. (2012); PIER, 2015). In Cuba, it is widespread across the islands. In Fiji, it covers large areas being very common especially in the dry zones, in pastures, canefields, waste places, and along roadsides (Smith, 1979). D. caricosum is a fast-growing gregarious grass that competes aggressively with other plants including other weeds (Cook et al., 2005).
Rytidostylis carthagenensis.
Authors: Vélez-Gavilán Jeanine
Published: April 2021

R. carthagenensis is a vine which is native to South and Central America. It is only reported as invasive in Cuba, without details about its invasiveness or distribution (Oviedo Prieto et al., 2012).
Epidendrum radicans (crucifix orchid).
Authors: Dube Shruti
Published: April 2021

Epidendrum radicans is a hardy orchid which is easy to grow. It is currently recorded as invasive in Cuba, and has been introduced to the USA, Australia and Africa. It is also naturalized in Puerto Rico. The orchid is not suitable for most collections due to its fast growth, meaning it would soon take up too large a space. Because of the way its roots grow from nodes along the stem, this species can spread quickly, behaving like a weed.
Euphorbia lactea (mottled spurge).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

E. lactea has been widely commercialized as an ornamental plant and due to the presence of spines it is also used as a fence/hedge plant. Many cultivars have been developed for the horticultural trade (USDA-ARS, 2016). It has escaped from cultivation and once naturalized, it often grows forming thickets mostly in disturbed sites, abandoned gardens, deciduous forests, coastal forests, and along roadsides (Little et al., 1974; PIER, 2016; PROTA, 2016). E. lactea spreads by seeds and vegetatively by cuttings and stem fragments (Little et al., 1974). Currently, this species is listed as invasive in Hawaii and Cuba (Oviedo Prieto et al., 2012; PIER, 2016). In Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, it is spreading and forming thickets in some places (Little et al., 1974).
Garcia nutans (false tung oil tree).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

Garcia nutans is a shrub or small tree native to the Americas from Mexico to Colombia that has been introduced as ornamental in the Caribbean, where it has escaped from cultivation and become naturalized. G. nutans has been listed as invasive only in Cuba. On most of the Caribbean islands where it now occurs, it is listed as casual or rare. On the other hand, within its native distribution range in Colombia, G. nutans is included in the IUCN Red List as an endangered species as high rates of habitat loss have led to the decline of natural populations of this species.
Ipomoea hederifolia (scarlet-creeper).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

Ipomoea hederifolia is an annual climbing vine species, native to the tropical and warm temperate parts of the Americas, which has been introduced to many parts of the world as an ornamental plant. It has escaped from cultivation to become naturalized and invasive mostly in disturbed sites and riparian areas (PIER, 2016; Queensland Government, 2016). It also behaves as a weed in cultivated fields (such as sugarcane and soybean fields) in areas within and outside its native distribution range (Kissmann and Groth, 1999; Randall, 2012; USDA-ARS, 2016). It has the potential to outcompete other plant species for nutrients, water and sunlight. Currently it is listed as a serious agricultural weed in Brazil (Kissmann and Groth, 1999; Silva et al., 2009; Calore et al., 2014) and as an invasive species in Cuba, Australia, Hawaii, Fiji, New Caledonia and other islands in the Pacific region (Wagner et al., 1999; Oviedo et al., 2012; PIER, 2016; Queensland Government, 2016).
Leptochloa nealleyi (Nealley's sprangletop).
Authors: Chabert-Llompart Jose
Published: April 2021

L. nealleyi is a grass weed which has been described as an invasive species in Cuba by Oviedo Prieto et al. (2012). However, in the Manual of Grasses of North America (Barkworth et al., 2007) it is regarded as a rare species in Cuba. Although not mentioned as an invasive species, Bergeron et al. (2015), report that L. nealleyi has expanded its habitat by becoming a worrisome weed in rice production in Louisiana and Texas, USA.
Merremia aegyptia (hairy woodrose).
Authors: Areces-Berazain Fabiola
Published: April 2021

Merremia aegyptia is an annual climbing herb that acts as a pioneer species in disturbed sites in tropical regions. It is considered a weed in most countries where it occurs and it has been included in the Global Compendium of Weeds as an agricultural and environmental weed (Randall, 2012). The species is native to tropical America and Africa and listed as invasive in Cuba, India, Australia and Hawaii.
Merremia cissoides (roadside woodrose).
Authors: Areces-Berazain Fabiola
Published: April 2021

Merremia cissoides is a climbing weed native to tropical America that has been introduced to several Old World countries, presumably as an ornamental. It typically grows in disturbed areas and has been reported as a weed of several crops within its native range. However, it is not as widespread and common as other weedy species of Merremia. In several countries outside its native range, its occurrence has only been documented from one or few herbarium specimens. Nonetheless, the species is considered to be increasingly naturalized in the Old World tropics. It is invasive in Florida (USA) and Cuba.
Sida linifolia (flaxleaf fanpetals).
Authors: Vélez-Gavilán Jeanine
Published: April 2021

S. linifolia is an herb or small shrub reported as invasive to Cuba and Hawaii, USA (Oviedo Prieto et al., 2012; PIER, 2016). No details are given on its invasiveness or the effects on habitats and/or biodiversity. Although it is listed as invasive for Hawaii by PIER (2016), it also is noted as "not common".
Tripsacum latifolium (wideleaf gamagrass).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

Within its native distribution range, T. latifolium is described as a 'rare' grass species that sometimes grows to form extensive stands. It is cultivated throughout tropical areas as a fodder plant. Currently, it is listed as invasive in Cuba and Guam, but no information on its impacts or competition strategies has been reported.