Indonesia has extensively reforested mangroves to stabilize coastal ecosystems and mitigate climate change. Reforestation’s long-term effects on recovering mangroves are not extensively established because most projects are only observed for two years. It raises the question of whether mangrove replanting aids biodiversity conservation and ecological recovery. This study will characterize Flores Island mangrove ecosystems after ten years of regeneration. The ecological survey took place at Bangkoor, Kolisia, and Talibura reforestation areas. Floristic composition, wildlife diversity, carbon sequestration, and energy storage were measured at each location. Field observations revealed 10 mangrove species and 11 species, which is varying by site. Flora diversity was highest in Kolisia and fauna diversity was highest in Talibura. Talibura and Kolisia have similar vegetation and wildlife than Bangkoor. Restored mangrove stands sequestered 28.69 − 70.02 Mg CO2 ha− 1 and stored 30.54 × 104 − 54.07 × 104 MJ ha− 1 of energy. Rhizophora apiculata (47.37 ± 5.68 kg CO2) had the most carbon sequestration, while Bruguiera gymnorhiza (645.22 ± 21.65 MJ) had the highest energy storage. Reforestation-induced mangrove ecosystems have biodiversity, carbon storage, and energy stock features.

Intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams (IRES) have been overlooked in invasion science as the characteristic drying - wetting regimes are assumed to be a barrier to invasion processes. Flow contraction/cessation limits the persistence and success of water-dependent invasive alien species (IAS) in most IRES, while flash floods may restrict limnophilic and strictly terrestrial ones. However, IRES are subject to multiple anthropogenic stressors that could ultimately favour the arrival and spread of IAS and their mosaic of dynamic habitats may theoretically support both terrestrial and aquatic IAS. Successful IAS are characterised by adaptations, traits and life histories which facilitate rapid, opportunistic exploitation of habitats and resources. Here, the potential invasibility of IRES is discussed along with a summary of current knowledge gaps, examples and challenges across different continents. IAS in IRES should be considered a cause for concern but also an intriguing study system to understand the mechanics of biological invasions under global change.

Indonesia has extensively reforested mangroves to stabilize coastal ecosystems and mitigate climate change. Reforestation's long-term effects on recovering mangroves are not extensively established because most projects are only observed for two years. It raises the question of whether mangrove replanting aids biodiversity conservation and ecological recovery. This project will characterize Flores Island mangrove ecosystems after ten years of regeneration. The ecological survey took place at Bangkoor, Kolisia, and Talibura reforestation areas. Floristic composition, wildlife diversity, carbon sequestration, and energy storage were measured at each location. Field observations revealed 10 plant and 11 animal species, with flora and fauna species varying by site. Flora diversity was highest in Kolisia and fauna diversity was highest in Talibura. Talibura and Kolisia have similar vegetation and wildlife than Bangkoor. Restored mangrove stands sequestered 28.69 − 70.02 Mg CO2 ha− 1 and stored 30.54×104 − 54.07×104 MJ ha− 1 of energy. Rhizophora apiculata (47.37 ± 5.68 kg CO2) had the most carbon sequestration, while Bruguiera gymnorhiza (645.22 ± 21.65 MJ) had the highest energy storage. Reforestation-induced mangrove ecosystems have biodiversity, carbon storage, and energy stock features.

In interdisciplinary fields such as biodiversity conservation or invasion science —where multiple perspectives from diverse disciplines often need to converge for effective environmental management, it is crucial to minimise terminological confusion in order to understand and transmit concepts accurately. The diversity of perspectives can exert a substantial influence on defining key terms in those interdisciplinary fields, potentially resulting in confusion. A lively topic within invasion science concerns the definitions of nativeness, non-nativeness, and invasiveness. While some academics dismiss the nativeness concept because it cannot be objectively defined, others advocate for its categorization, and a third perspective posits it as a binary term. Here we argue the inherent binary nature of nativeness, even when our capacity to observe is challenging. Nativeness (and consequently, non-nativeness) is an intrinsic and binary property of a species (i.e. the set of populations of a species) in a place, which should remain a central piece of information in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration. In contrast, invasiveness, which relies on quantitative metrics (including abundance, spread, or impacts), should not be defined on binary terms. This underscores the importance of offering diverse, context-specific management strategies to deal with it. We illustrate the consistency of nativeness' binary nature and the need to rely on diverse management options to address different invasion scenarios with the example of the freshwater crayfish in the Iberian Peninsula.

The identification of fish species by non-specialists remains a constant challenge for biodiversity management. In this regard, Robillard et al. developed a machine learning computer vision model to identify Amazonian fish at the genus level, with an accuracy of 97.9

Understanding how functionally similar species segregate resources to minimize competition is vital for predicting evolutionary factors and patterns of coexistence. We conducted a study in Mata de Itamacaoca, in the middle Munim River basin, Maranhão, northeastern Brazil, to characterize the functional morphology and trophic niches of five coexisting Characiform species in this area - including a recently described species, and to investigate whether their functional morphology is a key determinant of their trophic niches. Our analysis of functional morphology and diet, employing linear measurements to predict dietary specializations, showed that these species are predominantly generalist insectivores with a significant morphological overlap. This study underscores the influence of species' natural history on their ecological characteristics, contributing to more effective conservation strategies.

Saddle Barb, Barbodes sellifer, is a freshwater fish endemic to Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian archipelago and is here recorded for the first time from Belitung Island, Indonesia. This is a range extension of about 300 km to the southeast from the closest previously known locality on Bangka Island, and, in addition to reporting its occurrence on another island of the Indonesian archipelago, this is the southernmost known locality for the species. We also provide an updated map showing the species’ distribution.

In a hyperconnected world, framing and managing biological invasions poses complex and contentious challenges, affecting socioeconomic and environmental sectors. This complexity distinguishes the field and fuels polarized debates. In the present article, we synthesize four contentious issues in invasion science that are rarely addressed together: vocabulary usage, the potential benefits of nonnative species, perceptions shifting because of global change, and rewilding practices and biological invasions. Researchers have predominantly focused on single issues; few have addressed multiple components of the debate within or across disciplinary boundaries. Ignoring the interconnected nature of these issues risks overlooking crucial cross-links. We advocate for interdisciplinary approaches that better integrate social and natural sciences. Although they are challenging, interdisciplinary collaborations offer hope to overcome polarization issues in invasion science. These may bridge disagreements, facilitate knowledge exchange, and reshape invasion science narratives. Finally, we present a contemporary agenda to advance future research, management, and constructive dialogue.

Recent accumulation of evidence across taxa indicates that the ecological impacts of invasive alien species are predictable from their functional response (FR; e.g. the maximum feeding rate) and functional response ratio (FRR; the FR attack rate divided by handling time). Here, we experimentally derive these metrics to predict the ecological impacts of both juvenile and adult lionfish (Pterois volitans), one of the world’s most damaging invaders, across representative and likely future prey types. Potentially prey-population destabilizing Type II FRs were exhibited by both life stages of lionfish towards four prey species: Artemia salina, Gammarus oceanicus, Palaemonetes varians and Nephrops norvegicus. FR magnitudes revealed ontogenetic shifts in lionfish impacts where juvenile lionfish displayed similar if not higher consumption rates than adult lionfish towards prey, apart from N. norvegicus, where adult consumption rate was considerably higher. Additionally, lionfish FRR values were very substantially higher than mean FRR values across known damaging invasive taxa. Thus, both life stages of lionfish are predicted to contribute to differing but high ecological impacts across prey communities, including commercially important species. With lionfish invasion ranges currently expanding across multiple regions globally, efforts to reduce lionfish numbers and population size structure, with provision of prey refugia through habitat complexity, might curtail their impacts. Nevertheless, the present study indicates that management programmes to support early detection and complete eradication of lionfish individuals when discovered in new regions are advised.

Freshwater crayfish are amongst the largest macroinvertebrates and play a keystone role in the ecosystems they occupy. Understanding the global distribution of these animals is often hindered due to a paucity of distributional data. Additionally, non-native crayfish introductions are becoming more frequent, which can cause severe environmental and economic impacts. Management decisions related to crayfish and their habitats require accurate, up-to-date distribution data and mapping tools. Such data are currently patchily distributed with limited accessibility and are rarely up-to-date. To address these challenges, we developed a versatile e-portal to host distributional data of freshwater crayfish and their pathogens (using Aphanomyces astaci, the causative agent of the crayfish plague, as the most prominent example). Populated with expert data and operating in near real-time, World of Crayfish™ is a living, publicly available database providing worldwide distributional data sourced by experts in the field. The database offers open access to the data through specialized standard geospatial services (Web Map Service, Web Feature Service) enabling users to view, embed, and download customizable outputs for various applications. The platform is designed to support technical enhancements in the future, with the potential to eventually incorporate various additional features. This tool serves as a step forward towards a modern era of conservation planning and management of freshwater biodiversity.

Betta rubra, classified as endangered fish species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has been successfully bred and raised in captivity for two generations under laboratory conditions. This study aimed to provide comprehensive information on the captive breeding of B. rubra, focusing on various parameters crucial for ex-situ conservation and domestication. The research involved breeding trials, embryo and larvae observation, first feeding experiments, larva and fry rearing trials, and the evaluation of growth and reproduction in two generations. The study revealed that the female B. rubra, with an average total length of 5.17 ± 0.15 cm and weight of 1.61 ± 0.06 g, produced an average of 73.67 ± 7.09 eggs, 34.33 ± 5.13 total larvae, and exhibited a hatching rate of 46.67 ± 5.77%. The embryogenesis process commenced on the day of spawning (dps) and continued until the eggs hatched at 6 dps. Larvae development and yolk absorption occurred from 0 to 6 days post-hatching (dph).The study also examined the impact of different initial feeding options, with chopped Tubifex resulting in the most significant increase (p < 0.05) in length. The growth pattern of B. rubra larvae showed slow initial growth during the first seven days, followed by a rapid exponential growth phase from day 8 to day 39. Two generations of B. rubra (G1 and G2) were successfully bred in captivity, with G2 showing a better tendency for growth in length and weight compared to G1. Notably, there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in reproductive success between the wild-origin broodstock (G0), G1, or G2. This research contributes valuable insights into the captive breeding of B. rubra and its early life stages, offering critical information for the conservation and sustainable management of this endangered species. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of domestication on behavior, physiology, and phenotypic diversity.

BACKGROUND:This review compiles and synthesises the existing information concerning non-native poeciliid introductions to Africa. The recent upsurge in research on invasive poeciliids has revealed their widespread occurrence in Africa. RESULTS:Within the 87 relevant articles, 74% reported on the presence of Gambusia spp., 33% on P. reticulata, 19% on X. hellerii, 11% on X. maculatus, and 5% on other ornamental poeciliids. Overall, poeciliids have been documented as introduced to 25 different countries in Africa. With Gambusia spp. being introduced to 16 countries and P. reticulata to 19 countries. Our results are representative of the current state of research on invasive poeciliids in Africa. There was a concentration of studies in South Africa, with limited research elsewhere. Current distribution data is relatively patchy, although widespread surveys of multiple river systems in Morocco and South Africa, confirmed widespread and abundant established poeciliid populations. The ecological impacts of invasive poeciliids in Africa remain understudied but evidence indicates deleterious effects on native fish, invertebrates, and amphibians, many of which are critically endangered or endemic. CONCLUSION:Current research is limited in reporting from certain countries and ecological impacts. An increased effort to monitor species composition in vulnerable waterbodies, especially in the many African countries where invasive poeciliids are reported, should be completed to reveal further established populations. Future research should prioritise quantifying the ecological impacts of invasive poeciliids in the field and identifying both vulnerable and resistant native ecosystems to guide future management decisions.

Invasive freshwater fish can often have severe negative effects on native fishes in river systems. The interactions between hydrology and habitat variability can mediate the speed and success of individual invasions and the consequent impact on biodiversity. The rivers within Addo Elephant National Park (AENP) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa experience cyclical droughts and wet periods and as a result are naturally episodic. These rivers were recently invaded by three non-native species, the invasive largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) as well as the extralimital sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus). Monitoring of key sampling sites along two rivers over a 12-year period that included two major droughts revealed unexpected patterns in the spread of these species and their interactions with native fishes. On the Coerney River, C. gariepinus repeatedly invaded and was extirpated from a seasonal reach of the river, wherein O. mossambicus was only occasionally captured. On the Wit River, two apparently independent introductions of M. salmoides in the lower and upper reaches of the river resulted in patchy habitat occupancy over the course of 12 years. While C. gariepinus regularly co-occurred with native species, M. salmoides appeared to locally extirpate the endangered Eastern Cape redfin (Pseudobarbus afer). During drought, both species persisted in close but disconnected pools, suggesting that the episodic hydrology and geomorphology of these rivers may offer temporary predation refugia for native species during drought. Conservation implications: Drought in episodic rivers can mitigate against the impact and spread of freshwater invasions within protected areas. Effects of drying on invasion corridors and spatial interactions with native species should be taken into consideration when managing such invasions. Severe droughts also offer an opportunity to actively control invasive species when they are confined to accessible drought refugia within the protected area.

Emerging pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals and microplastics have become a pressing concern due to their widespread presence and potential impacts on ecological systems. To assess the ecosystem-level effects of these pollutants within a multi-stressor context, we simulated real-world conditions by exposing a near-natural multi-trophic aquatic food web to a gradient of environmentally relevant concentrations of fluoxetine and microplastics in large mesocosms over a period of more than three months. We measured the biomass and abundance of different trophic groups, as well as ecological functions such as nutrient availability and decomposition rate. To explore the mechanisms underlying potential community and ecosystem-level effects, we also performed behavioral assays focusing on locomotion parameters as a response variable in three species: Daphnia magna (zooplankton prey), Chaoborus flavicans larvae (invertebrate pelagic predator of zooplankton) and Asellus aquaticus (benthic macroinvertebrate), using water from the mesocosms. Our mesocosm results demonstrate that presence of microplastics governs the response in phytoplankton biomass, with a weak non-monotonic dose-response relationship due to the interaction between microplastics and fluoxetine. However, exposure to fluoxetine evoked a strong non-monotonic dose-response in zooplankton abundance and microbial decomposition rate of plant material. In the behavioral assays, the locomotion of zooplankton prey D. magna showed a similar non-monotonic response primarily induced by fluoxetine. Its predator C. flavicans, however, showed a significant non-monotonic response governed by both microplastics and fluoxetine. The behavior of the decomposer A. aquaticus significantly decreased at higher fluoxetine concentrations, potentially leading to reduced decomposition rates near the sediment. Our study demonstrates that effects observed upon short-term exposure result in more pronounced ecosystem-level effects following chronic exposure.

Understanding the eco‐evolutionary processes which drive phenotypic variability in non‐native species is crucial to predicting impact and informing spatially explicit management models. Invasive redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus, are spreading rapidly through the ecologically and economically important Upper and Middle Zambezi system in south‐central Africa. We tested whether there was an invasion front effect in the Barotse floodplain and disentangle whether these effects were related to environmental filtering, spatial sorting, or density‐dependent processes along a nonlinear 200 km invasion gradient over seasonal hydrological periods. Crayfish spread up‐ and down‐stream indicated an expanding population compared to the former invasion front in 2019, facilitated by both sexes. Wet season detection probability and relative abundance were lower than in the dry season. No signals of environmental filtering were detected as a result of high connectivity of habitats in the wet season. The invasion front population was characterised by lower relative abundance, lower body condition, larger overall body and chelae size, and longer front leg length. There was no effect on sex ratio. This indicated that spatial sorting, density‐dependent processes and predation pressure are acting as selective forces on phenotypic variability across the invasion gradient. Better understanding of the effects of flood regime and trophic interactions on phenotypic variability and dispersal is urgently needed. Population suppression to reduce spatial sorting and conspecific competition could be a viable management option at the invasion front.

Standardised terminology in science is important for clarity of interpretation and communication. In invasion science - a dynamic and rapidly evolving discipline - the proliferation of technical terminology has lacked a standardised framework for its development. The result is a convoluted and inconsistent usage of terminology, with various discrepancies in descriptions of damage and interventions. A standardised framework is therefore needed for a clear, universally applicable, and consistent terminology to promote more effective communication across researchers, stakeholders, and policymakers. Inconsistencies in terminology stem from the exponential increase in scientific publications on the patterns and processes of biological invasions authored by experts from various disciplines and countries since the 1990s, as well as publications by legislators and policymakers focusing on practical applications, regulations, and management of resources. Aligning and standardising terminology across stakeholders remains a challenge in invasion science. Here, we review and evaluate the multiple terms used in invasion science (e.g. 'non-native', 'alien', 'invasive' or 'invader', 'exotic', 'non-indigenous', 'naturalised', 'pest') to propose a more simplified and standardised terminology. The streamlined framework we propose and translate into 28 other languages is based on the terms (i) 'non-native', denoting species transported beyond their natural biogeographic range, (ii) 'established non-native', i.e. those non-native species that have established self-sustaining populations in their new location(s) in the wild, and (iii) 'invasive non-native' - populations of established non-native species that have recently spread or are spreading rapidly in their invaded range actively or passively with or without human mediation. We also highlight the importance of conceptualising 'spread' for classifying invasiveness and 'impact' for management. Finally, we propose a protocol for classifying populations based on (i) dispersal mechanism, (ii) species origin, (iii) population status, and (iv) impact. Collectively and without introducing new terminology, the framework that we present aims to facilitate effective communication and collaboration in invasion science and management of non-native species.

Globally, human activities profoundly influence biodiversity, frequently favouring biological invasions. Crayfish, prominent invaders on multiple continents, pose significant varied threats. Using species distribution models (SDMs), this study explores the current and future potential distribution of Pontastacus leptodactylus, a widely introduced but under-studied crayfish, at Eurasian scale. Climate is crucial for most species’ distributions and historically SDMs focused primarily on these variables, while overlooking other environmental factors influencing species occurrence. This research employed 2 approaches: one climatic and one broader environmental model encompassing soil pH and elevation data. Both methods revealed high suitability for the species, particularly currently in Central-Europe. Future climate scenarios for 2050 do not seem to favour the species in terms of intermediate-high suitability regions, with contractions also in the native regions with both approaches. However, remarkable discrepancies were observed in some North-European regions; with the climatic approach predicting high suitability where the environmental approach did not. This study identifies P. leptodactylus as a widespread successful species outside its native range with potential for expansion under current conditions. The synthesised continental overview and projected distribution maps aid in prioritising monitoring and prevention efforts while underlining the importance for using environmental as well as climatic variables in SDMs.

Reproductive biologies (spawning period, length at maturity and fecundity) of the Knysna sand goby Psammogobius knysnaensis and the Prison goby Caffrogobius gilchristi were investigated between September 2018 and August 2019 in the warm-temperate Sundays Estuary, South Africa. The two species reproduced during the same period (spring and summer) with peak reproduction occurring in January. P. knysnaensis egg production was higher than C. gilchristi and was not affected by fish size. Although C. gilchristi egg production increased with fish size, this was not significant. P. knysnaensis reached L-M50 at smaller sizes than C. gilchristi. Reproductive periods were likely coupled with prey availability, as phytoplankton and zooplankton abundances are highest in warm-temperate estuaries during this period. The ability of these gobies to reproduce at small sizes (< 40 mm TL), which is an adaptive trait of many r-selected species, underpins their high abundance in South African estuaries as they are well adapted to stochastic environments.