Current status of alert alien species management for the establishment of proactive management systems in Korea

Abstract

Background Some of the introduced alien species introduced settle, multiply, and spread to become invasive alien species (IAS) that threaten biodiversity. To prevent this, Korea and other countries legally designate and manage alien species that pose a risk to the environment. Moreover, 2160 alien species have been introduced in South Korea, of which 1826 animals and 334 plants are designated. The inflow of IAS can have negative effects such as ecosystem disturbance, habitat destruction, economic damage, and health damage to humans. To prevent damage caused by the inflow of IAS in advance, species that could potentially pose a risk to the environment if introduced in South Korea were designated as alert alien species (AAS). Results The designation criteria were in accordance with the “Act on the Conservation and Use of Biological Diversity” and the “Regulations on the Ecological Risk Assessment of AAS and IAS” by the National Institute of Ecology. The analysis result of risk and damage cases indicated that mammals affect predation, competition, human economic activity, virus infection, and parasite infection. Birds have been demonstrated to affect predation, competition, human economic activity, and health. It was indicated that plants intrude on the ecosystem by competing with native species with their high-population density and capacity to multiply and cause allergic inducement. Interestingly, 300 species, including 25 mammals, 7 birds, 84 fishes, 28 amphibians, 22 reptiles, 1 insect, 32 spiders, 1 mollusk, 1 arthropod, and 99 plants, are included in the list of AAS. Conclusions AAS designation plays a role in preventing the reduction of biodiversity by IAS in South Korea and preserving native species. Moreover, it is determined to provide considerable economic benefits by preventing socio-economic losses and ecological damage.

Potential risky exotic fish species, their ecological impacts and potential reasons for invasion in Korean aquatic ecosystems

“…Therefore, a species that can successfully endure these phases of the invasion process can become an insidious threat to native biodiversity. Concomitantly, the influx of potential risky species can adversely affect by causing severe damage, such as ecosystem disruption, destruction of feeding, breeding, habitat grounds, economic losses, and human health damages (Bomford 2008;Son et al 2021).…”

Policy recommendations for the Rana trade towards the Republic of Korea

“…One of the most widely introduced amphibian species in the world, the American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus; Luque et al, 2014) has become invasive in the Republic of Korea as a result of the trade for human consumption, starting in the 1970s (Groffen et al, 2019). The invasive population of American bullfrog in the Republic of Korea has resulted in a severe loss of aquatic biodiversity (Son et al, 2021), and numerous removal efforts have failed, indicating that eradication is extremely complicated and expensive to achieve (Oh and Hong, 2007;Groffen et al, 2019;Soto et al, 2022), although not impossible (e.g., Simberloff, 2003;Kahrs, 2006;Kamoroff et al, 2020). Therefore, the most efficient and cost-effective approach to prevent the establishment of species known to have the potential of becoming invasive is by prohibiting initial introduction (Othman et al, 2022).…”

Identification of the Plant Family Caryophyllaceae in Korea Using DNA Barcoding

“…Moreover, several other species are regarded as weeds of agricultural land [ 11 , 12 ], and alien plants of the family have been previously reported [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Such weeds and alien plants could lead to a decrease in crop yields and the disturbance of native species [ 18 , 19 ]. As a result, endangered, weed, and alien plants must all be continuously monitored; therefore, the precise identification of Caryophyllaceae species is critical for the use of resources and the management of weeds and alien species.…”