How a megadiverse nation is confronting the growing threat of invasive species through groundbreaking research
Nestled where the Andes mountains, Amazon rainforest, and Pacific coastline converge, Ecuador stands as one of the world's most biodiverse nations4 . Within its compact territory—smaller than the state of Nevada—scientists have documented approximately 18,600 native plant species, with likely many more awaiting discovery.
Non-native plants documented in continental Ecuador
Of global extinctions linked to invasive species
Growing in the wild, competing with native flora
This ecological treasure now faces a growing threat: the quiet invasion of non-native plants. Recent research reveals that the number of non-native plants in continental Ecuador has doubled in recent years, reaching 1,260 taxa that increasingly challenge local ecosystems4 .
The research team discovered that these non-native plants aren't equally distributed across Ecuador's dramatic landscapes. The Andean region hosts the most non-native plants (451 species), followed by the Coast (253) and the Amazon (182)4 .
The study found that approximately 60% of the taxa originated from Asia and/or Africa6 , continents with similar tropical conditions that allow plants to adapt readily to Ecuador's varied climates.
When researchers examined why these plants were introduced, they discovered that 385 taxa had documented local uses, primarily as ornamentals (42%) and medicinal plants (38%), with fewer used for food, livestock, or ancestral purposes4 .
Among the wild-growing plants, precisely 52% have become naturalized—meaning they've established self-sustaining populations—while 48% are considered "casual" species that haven't yet achieved permanent footing6 .
Creating the first comprehensive catalog of Ecuador's non-native plants required a multi-faceted approach that blended traditional botany with innovative data collection techniques.
The team began by compiling secondary data from published literature, scientific reports, and online databases. This created a foundational list of non-native species reported in Ecuador.
Researchers conducted fieldwork across Ecuador's three continental regions—the Andes, Coast, and Amazon—to verify the presence of reported species and document new occurrences.
Each plant specimen was carefully identified using botanical keys and compared against verified herbarium specimens. This ensured accurate species identification, crucial for distinguishing between similar native and non-native species.
In an innovative methodological approach, the team incorporated observations from citizen science platforms. This helped fill knowledge gaps in understudied regions and provided real-time data on species distributions6 .
The historical analysis revealed that the earliest plant introductions date back to the late 18th century, but the exponential increase began around 19156 . This timeline coincides with periods of expanded global trade and agricultural development in Ecuador.
Only 13% of the non-native taxa have resided in Ecuador for more than 125 years, suggesting that most arrivals are relatively recent6 .
The taxonomic analysis showed that three plant families dominate Ecuador's non-native flora: Poaceae (grasses) at 16%, Asteraceae (daisy family) at 10%, and Fabaceae (legume family) at 9%6 .
In terms of growth habits, the researchers found that 67% of the non-native taxa are herbs, with fewer shrubs and trees represented6 .
Invasive plant species can directly compete with native plants for resources like light, water, and nutrients.
Some non-native plants alter ecosystem processes—for instance, changing fire regimes as seen with bromes in Western U.S. grasslands.
Non-native plants now represent approximately 2.6% of Ecuador's total flora4 , with potential to dominate fragmented habitats.
The researchers employed a diverse array of tools and techniques to conduct their comprehensive survey of Ecuador's non-native plants.
Plant press, GPS device, digital camera, hand lens
Herbarium collections, botanical keys, microscope
Digital databases, geographic information systems (GIS)
iNaturalist, specialized mobile applications
This combination of traditional and technological approaches allowed the research team to overcome the challenges of working in a megadiverse country with varied and often remote ecosystems. The integration of citizen science proved particularly valuable for detecting non-native plants in regions with limited scientific monitoring, providing a promising approach for other data-deficient countries facing similar challenges6 .
With limited resources for invasion management, Ecuador can now prioritize the species and regions of greatest concern. The data on residence times, growth forms, and establishment success help identify which casual species might be on the verge of naturalization and require immediate attention.
The study's methodology—particularly its integration of citizen science—provides a model for early detection and rapid response (EDRR) systems that could catch new invasions before they become widespread6 .
The documented uses of non-native plants reveal important cultural dimensions that must be addressed in management strategies. Rather than outright bans, which often prove impractical, the data support developing targeted education programs for plant industries and the public about high-risk species.
The prominence of ornamental plants in the non-native flora suggests that working with nurseries and gardeners to promote native alternatives could significantly reduce future introductions.
As a pioneering study in a megadiverse Neotropical country, this research provides an adaptable and replicable framework for other nations facing similar challenges6 . The methods for combining traditional research with citizen science offer a cost-effective approach for countries with rich biodiversity but limited research budgets.
Ecuador's new catalog of non-native plants arrives at a critical juncture for global biodiversity conservation. As the research reveals, even countries with strong conservation policies face ongoing challenges from introduced species that arrive through both intentional and accidental pathways.
The finding that non-native plants have doubled in Ecuador serves as both a warning and an opportunity—a warning about the accelerating pace of biological invasions, but also an opportunity to address this threat with better data and more sophisticated tools.
What makes this research particularly significant is its potential application beyond Ecuador's borders. The study provides a practical blueprint for other megadiverse countries to develop their own inventories of non-native species, leveraging both scientific expertise and public participation to protect their biological heritage.