Aquatic Invasive Species in the Protected Areas of the Yucatan Peninsula and Adjacent Marine Zone, Mexico

Eduardo Rendón-Hernández (), Luis Amado Ayala-Pérez, Jordan Golubov, Ricardo Torres-Lara and Brenda Iliana Vega-Rodríguez
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Eduardo Rendón-Hernández: Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Ciudad de México 04960, Mexico
Luis Amado Ayala-Pérez: Departamento El Hombre y su Ambiente, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana–Xochimilco, Ciudad de México 04960, Mexico
Jordan Golubov: Departamento El Hombre y su Ambiente, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana–Xochimilco, Ciudad de México 04960, Mexico
Ricardo Torres-Lara: Departamento de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Quintana Roo, Chetumal 77019, Mexico
Brenda Iliana Vega-Rodríguez: Laboratorio de Ecología Aplicada, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana–Xochimilco, Ciudad de México 04960, Mexico

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 11, 1-13

Abstract: Biological invasions are one of the main causes of biodiversity loss globally, affecting the quality of ecosystem services, the economy, and public health. Research on the presence, distribution, impacts, and introduction pathways of invasive alien species is essential for understanding and tackling the invasion process. Continental, coastal, and marine aquatic ecosystems of the Yucatan Peninsula concentrate a high number of native species; however, the states that are in the region (Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo) also have the largest loss of natural capital at the national level. The presence of aquatic invasive species has contributed to this downward trend, mainly in protected areas. For this research, an analysis of the national biodiversity information system, the global biodiversity information facility, and the specialized scientific literature was carried out to determine the presence of aquatic invasive species within the protected areas of the Yucatan Peninsula and adjacent marine zone. The results indicated that there are 22 documented aquatic invasive species in 25 protected areas, which were classified into the following taxonomic groups: marine macroalgae (3 species), plants (2), inland and marine fish (11), crustaceans (2), mollusks (2), and hydrozoans (2). A total of 15 of these species had a very high invasiveness score, 6 had a high score, and 1 had a medium score. This research will be useful in strengthening regional public policy and guiding decision makers on the management of aquatic invasive species, mainly for those that are seriously affecting aquatic ecosystems, such as Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus and P. pardalis in freshwater protected areas and Pterois volitans in marine protected areas. Efficient management strategies will be a key element in the protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services, and for sustainable regional development.

Keywords: biological invasions; Caribbean Sea; environmental sustainability; freshwater protected areas; Gulf of Mexico; invasive species management; marine protected areas; risk assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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