The role of invasive alien species as bioindicators for environmental pollution

Abstract

Invasive alien species (IAS) are significant drivers of biodiversity loss, threatening ecosystems through predation, competition, disease transmission, and habitat alteration. Recently, IAS have been proposed as bioindicators in environmental chemistry, offering an innovative approach to chemical pollution monitoring. Their adaptability, resilience, and widespread distribution enable the assessment of contaminant bioaccumulation, particularly in degraded habitats where native species are rare or protected, minimizing additional ecological stress. This mini-review examines the emerging use of IAS, such as bivalves, crustaceans, fish, mammals, and plants, in detecting a wide range of contaminants. A targeted literature search (2022–2024) identified 15 peer-reviewed studies demonstrating the potential of IAS in monitoring trace elements, persistent pollutants, and emerging contaminants. For instance, bivalves such as Dreissena polymorpha accumulate mercury, crustaceans like Procambarus clarkii reflect microplastic pollution, and semiaquatic mammals such as Myocastor coypus provide insights into wetland microplastic contamination through fecal analysis. However, IAS are not yet integrated into established biomonitoring programs and are currently used only in individual case studies or research efforts. The main limitation lies in physiological and ecological differences between IAS and native species, which can lead to variable bioaccumulation patterns and complicate ecological risk assessments. Additional challenges include ethical considerations, regulatory constraints, and methodological inconsistencies across studies. Addressing these challenges through refined protocols, molecular tools, and appropriate risk mitigation will be crucial for integrating IAS into environmental monitoring frameworks. This strategy can complement existing methods, improving chemical pollution tracking while supporting global efforts to manage contamination and protect biodiversity.