Insights into the Management of the Invasive Pontederia crassipes Mart. (water hyacinth) in the Philippines using Species Distribution Modeling

Abstract

Pontederia crassipes Mart. (water hyacinth) is a globally known aquatic invasive alien plant species that has negatively affected biodiversity in the Philippines. The preventive management of water hyacinth has been shown to be a more cost-effective approach to reducing its impact than post-infestation management strategies, which have been unsuccessful in the country. Currently, to our knowledge, there is a lack of data on the suitable areas of water hyacinths in the Philippines. This data is integral in informing management strategies such as surveillance and monitoring measures to prevent the growth of water hyacinths in suitable areas that are potentially at risk of its invasion. In the present study, a species distribution modeling of water hyacinth using Maximum Entropy was employed to determine its potential suitable habitats under the current and future climate conditions. Results showed that the suitable areas of water hyacinth are found in bodies of water across every small and large island in the Philippines, indicating that these bodies of water are at risk of invasion. Furthermore, the suitable areas of water hyacinth are predicted to expand under the future climate scenarios. The variables important in determining the suitable habitats of water hyacinth are Human Footprint and Mean Annual Air Temperature. Determining the current and future distribution of water hyacinths in the Philippines informs the identification of bodies of water that are at risk of water hyacinth invasion in the country and informs surveillance protocols against the mediated or accidental introduction of water hyacinths.