ABSTRACT
Invasive species aggressively invade new continents so that these species become dominant in their new geographical areas. They are those species that arrived on continents after the 16th century as human global travel, commerce, and migration increased. Recent evidence suggests that evolutionary alterations in the non-native plant itself may also promote this accelerated expansion towards invasiveness after a time lag of multiple generations as the species genetically adapts to new selective pressures in the introduced environment. There has been a proliferation of approaches aimed at assigning priority to species and areas as well as improving the efficiency of management interventions. Monitoring is required to determine the location/early detection of problematic species. Monitoring can be done through a qualitative approach like species inventory, a quantitative approach using phyto-sociological methods, and mapping using ground-based methods. Risk assessment, pathway management, early detection and rapid response, and mitigation and restoration are some methods to restrict invasive species. Measures involving early detection and contingency plans for the eradication/containment of invasive species can be efficiently implemented and would have a higher cost/benefit outcome. In India, the economic costs of the management of IAS are yet to be analysed in detail. Multiple facets of global change pose significant challenges for ecologists and conservation biologists, and new approaches are needed for managing biodiversity. Every effort should be made to keep representative areas, such as protected areas, free of alien species. However, in the increasingly human-dominated matrix, more pragmatic approaches will be needed. Rapid development of new technologies has improved our ability to assess, monitor, and plan control operations, and integrated strategies are starting to be implemented to reduce the current and future impacts of invasive species. Biosecurity policies and strategies must be updated regularly to capitalize on new findings.
