An ecosystem-service approach to evaluate the role of non-native species in urbanized wetlands
Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Journal Volume
12
Journal Issue
4
Pages
3926-3943
Date Issued
2015
Author(s)
Abstract
Natural wetlands have been increasingly transformed into urbanized ecosystems commonly colonized by stress-tolerant non-native species. Although non-native species present numerous threats to natural ecosystems, some could provide important benefits to urbanized ecosystems. This study investigated the extent of colonization by non-native fish and bird species of three urbanized wetlands in subtropical Taiwan. Using literature data the role of each non-native species in the urbanized wetland was evaluated by their effect (benefits/damages) on ecosystem services (ES) based on their ecological traits. Our sites were seriously colonized by non-native fishes (39%–100%), but <3% by non-native birds. Although most non-native species could damage ES regulation (disease control and wastewater purification), some could be beneficial to the urbanized wetland ES. Our results indicated the importance of non-native fishes in supporting ES by serving as food source to fish-eating waterbirds (native, and migratory species) due to their high abundance, particularly for Oreochromis spp. However, all non-native birds are regarded as “harmful” species causing important ecosystem disservices, and thus eradication of these bird-invaders from urban wetlands would be needed. This simple framework for role evaluation of non-native species represents a holistic and transferable approach to facilitate decision making on management priority of non-native species in urbanized wetlands. © 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Subjects
Alien species; Asian wetlands; Ecosystem services; Exotic species; Management; Urban ecosystems
SDGs
Other Subjects
abundance; bird; colonization; ecosystem service; holistic approach; introduced species; migratory species; native species; urban ecosystem; wetland; aggressiveness; animal behavior; animal dispersal; Article; biodiversity; bird; competitive behavior; environmental impact assessment; fish; introduced species; migratory species; nonhuman; Oreochromis; population abundance; population research; sediment; species richness; Taiwan; urbanization; waste water; wetland; animal; biodiversity; environmental protection; physiology; procedures; urbanization; Taiwan; Aves; Oreochromis; Pisces; Animals; Biodiversity; Birds; Conservation of Natural Resources; Fishes; Taiwan; Urbanization; Wetlands
Type
journal article