Newly Documented Invasive Alien Plant Species in the West Bank, Palestine

Monitoring invasive alien species (IAS) is critical for preventing local native species' extinction. IAS cause tremendous damage to ecosystem services by altering native vegetation cover and affecting associated fauna communities and species. There is a gap in knowledge about invasive plant species in Palestine. The new National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2023–2030) adopted a target of monitoring, evaluating, and eradicating any harmful species. This study reports on 13 invasive plant species in the West Bank (Occupied Palestinian Territories). Six species were documented for the first time in the West Bank: Araujia sericifera Brot., Euphorbia graminea Jacq., Euphorbia nutans L., Helianthus annuus L., Heterotheca subaxillaris (Lam.) Britton & Rusby, Xanthium italicum Moretti. The distribution of these species was updated: Bidens pilosa L., Cyperus involucratus Rottb., Eleusine indica (L.) J. Gaertn, Euphorbia heterophylla L., Oxalis corniculata L., Verbesina encelioides (Cav.) A. Gray, and Datura stramonium L. The data show how anthropogenic activities via IAS introduction affect local biodiversity. The current data are essential for Palestine because a newly designated protected area system was declared and management plans for many areas are being formulated. Control programs are needed for the IAS in our area, which is part of the Mediterranean Biodiversity Hotspot.