Invasion Risk Assessment and Ecological Impacts of Saccharum spontaneum L. in the Southern Caspian Coastal Ecosystems, Northern Iran
Subject Areas :
Reza Zamani
1
,
Mohammad Dehdar Dargahi
2
*
,
Mahsa Hakimi Abed
3
,
Mahmoud Bidarlord
4
1 - Department of Environment, La.C. Islamic Azad University, Lahijan, Iran.
2 - Department of Environment, La.C., Islamic Azad University, Lahijan, Iran.
3 - Department of Environment, La.C. Islamic Azad University, Lahijan, Iran.
4 - Natural Resources, Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, (AREEO), Rasht, Iran.
Keywords: Biological invasion, Coastal dunes, Saccharum spontaneum, EICAT, SEICAT, Invasive species, Boujagh National Park,
Abstract :
Saccharum spontaneum is recognized as an invasive species in many tropical and subtropical regions. Despite its spread along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, no comprehensive assessment of its invasion risk and ecological impacts has been conducted in Iran. This study presents the first invasion risk assessment of S. spontaneum in Iran and examines its environmental impacts in coastal ecosystems of northern Iran. Field surveys were conducted during the growing seasons from 2022 to 2026 along the southern Caspian coastline. Species occurrence, habitat characteristics, and ecological impacts were recorded using the line-transect method. Invasion risk was assessed using the Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) system, while environmental and socio-economic impacts were assessed using the EICAT and SEICAT frameworks, respectively. The results showed that the species forms dense, nearly monospecific stands in pristine sandy coastal habitats, as well as along roadsides, in abandoned lands, and in degraded coastal habitats. The risk assessment classified S. spontaneum as Very High Risk. The most important environmental impacts included competition for space and light, alteration of vegetation structure, changes in species composition, and reduced abundance of the native coastal species Convolvulus persicus. According to EICAT, the species was assigned to the Major (MR) impact category. The SEICAT assessment indicated Moderate (MO) socio-economic impacts, including reduced tourist access to some beaches, declining visual quality of coastal landscapes, and increased management costs for infested habitats.
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