Invasive alien species (higher plants)

Scientific name, Common name

1. Broussonetia papyrifera, Paper mulberry

2. Lantana camara, Coronitas

3. Swietenia macrophylla, Mahogany

4. Leucaena leucocephala, Ipil-ipil

5. Mikania micrantha, Mile-a-minute

6. Acacia mangium, Mangium

7. Acacia auriculiformis, Auri

8. Chromolaena odorata, Siam weed

9. Coccinia grandis, Ivy gourd

10. Eichornia crassipes*, Water hyacinth

Sources: Asia-Pacific Invasive Species Network; * PAWB

Recommendations: In a recent conference on the impact of invasive alien species on terrestrial ecosystems, a multidisciplinary group of stakeholders recommended strategies and actions to address this threat. Among them are the following:

Research on disturbance ecology (social, environmental and economic);

Protect natural habitat;

Restore disturbed habitats; and,

Conduct information and education campaigns

They further noted that anthropogenically disturbed habitats provide dispersal sites for invasive alien species. Intact forests, however, are less vulnerable to invasion and should therefore be protected.