14. Assessment of invasiveness of invasive alien species in An Giang province

Abstract

This study was conducted in 2022 to evaluate the species composition, distribution characteristics and invasive level of alien species in An Giang province. The study has conducted surveys by the line and the standard umbrella. The result identified 9 alien animal species belonging to 8 orders and 9 families of 3 phylums (Mollusca, Athropoda and Chordata) and 12 alien plant species belonging to 6 orders and 8 families of Magnoliophyta, of which there are 10 species in the invasive group and 11 species in the potentially invasive group specified in the appendix I and II of Circular No. 35/2018/TT-BTNMT. The alien species appeared in 6 habitats including residential land, bare land, rice fields, roadside, gardens and underwater throughout An Giang province. According to administrative units, the three administrative units with the highest number of alien species are Chau Doc city, Chau Thanh district and Chau Phu district. If sorted by habitat, aquatic habitats have the most alien species appearing. These alien species had a negative impact on biodiversity and production activities of the people. The five most invasive alien species were identified, including Pomacea canaliculata, Ceratitis capitata, Mimosa pigra, Brontispa longissima and Eichhornia crassipes. At the same time, research has provided specific biological, physical and chemical control solutions for each invasive alien species. This result is the basis for the authorities of An Giang province to make timely decisions to prevent the invasion of alien species.