Analysis and reflection of plant species in the Key Management List of Invasive Alien Species

The Key Management List of Invasive Alien Species (KMLIAS) was officially published on 1 January 2023, serving as an important reference for the prevention and control of IAS in China. To enhance the scientific rigor and objectivity of future revisions of the IAS list and strengthen the management capacity of IAS in China, we compiled and reviewed all existing IAS lists in China, conducted a comparative analysis to identify similarities and differences between the KMLIAS and other lists, and examined the impact and distribution of 33 invasive alien plants included in the KMLIAS. Analysis revealed a high degree of overlap in plant species between the KMLIAS and the List of Invasive Alien Species in China (all four editions) and List of Invasive Alien Species under National Key Management (first edition). The 33 invasive alien plants were found to be widely distributed, posing considerable harm to ecology, agriculture, forestry, human and animal health. However, issues such as taxonomic disputes and lack of assessment remain contentious. We propose several considerations and suggestions to improve the accuracy and objectivity of future list revisions and strengthen IAS control and management.