India's Online Ornamental Plant Trade May Be an Overlooked Pathway for Invasive Species

A new study has found that a majority of ornamental plants sold online in India are alien species, many of which are known to be invasive or naturalised in other countries.

A new study has highlighted the potential risks of India's online ornamental plant trade, revealing that a majority of plants sold online are alien species that could pose a threat to the country's biodiversity.

The study, which examined data from three of India's largest online plant retailers, found that 70% of the 1,856 ornamental species listed were alien species. Of these, 327 were invasive elsewhere, while 639 had naturalised outside their native ranges.

The study's findings are particularly concerning given the ease with which invasive species can be purchased online and delivered directly to people's homes. "What was particularly alarming is that species already known to cause ecological harm in India are still easily purchasable and deliverable to homes; there's practically no barrier between 'known invasive' species and adding them to your cart," said Aravind N.A., Senior Fellow at ATREE and the study's supervising author.

The study's authors suggest that the online ornamental plant trade may be an underexamined pathway for biological invasions and call for stronger regulations, risk-assessment protocols, and increased public awareness.

The Risks of Invasive Species

Invasive alien species are recognised as one of the five major drivers of global biodiversity decline. They outcompete native species and can have a significant impact on ecosystems.

The study found that 57 species already declared invasive in India were available for purchase online, including Lantana camara and Parthenium hysterophorus. These species are highly invasive and can cause significant ecological harm.

The study's authors suggest that the online ornamental plant trade is an important but underexamined pathway for potential invasions. "Online retail presents an important but underexamined pathway for potential invasions," said Aravind.

A Preliminary Screening Tool

The study's authors developed a preliminary screening tool to identify species that may be at risk of becoming invasive in India. The tool uses a combination of factors, including a species' history of being invasive elsewhere, its native range, and its ability to naturalise in India.

The tool identified 39 species as high-risk, 239 as moderate-risk, and 2 as low-risk. The authors suggest that this tool can be used to prioritise species for thorough risk assessments.

The study's authors also call for the development of an "early warning mechanism" to minimise invasion risks. This could involve raising awareness among consumers and the industry, as well as implementing stronger regulations and risk-assessment protocols.

Bridging Regulatory Gaps

The study's authors highlight the need for stronger regulations and risk-assessment protocols to prevent the spread of invasive species. They also suggest that the study's findings should be used to raise awareness among consumers and the industry.

The study's authors note that the data used in the study may underestimate the threat posed by invasive species. They also highlight the need to examine social media and smaller informal sellers as well as the three largest online retailers.

The study's findings highlight the need for stronger regulations and risk-assessment protocols to prevent the spread of invasive species. They also suggest that the online ornamental plant trade may be an underexamined pathway for biological invasions.

Source: Mongabay India