First reference list of invasive alien species in the state of Rio de Janeiro - Brazil: implications for research, policy and management

Abstract

The construction of the invasive alien species-IAS list for the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, started in 2009 by researchers of the Rio de Janeiro State University. A preliminary list was then presented to the State Secretary of Environment and underwent several reviews but has not been officially published. The initial list included invasive species, indicated by experts, and listed in invasive species databases. Of the 169 IAS listed, 89 are animals, 75 plants, and 4 algae and one in Kingdom Protista. All except four species were in the Brazil IAS Database. The species native ranges were also listed, as some are indigenous in an ecosystem or watershed in Brazil, and invasive in another part of the territory. The present list closes the gap of technical reference on which species are considered invasive, which has hindered environmental management and the improvement of productive sectors which use non-native species.