Assessing the Effectiveness of Strategies to Manage Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) in Freshwater Ecosystems

Abstract

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) represent one of the most significant threats to freshwater ecosystems, driving biodiversity loss, altering ecological processes, and imposing substantial economic costs. Despite decades of research and management investment,their control and prevention remain difficult due to complex ecological interactions, limited resources, and fragmented policy frameworks. This study critically assessed the effectiveness of contemporary AIS management strategies in freshwater systems toidentify patterns of success, limitations, and opportunities for improvement. A systematic literature review was conducted using the North Carolina State University Summon and Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA) databases. Thirty peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2025 were evaluated based on three core metrics,ecological outcome, cost-effectiveness, and population change, to assess the effectiveness of AIS management strategies. Management strategies were categorized into prevention and early detection, physical barriers, mechanical removal, chemical control, biological control, genetic biocontrol, and integrated or adaptive management approaches. Results revealed that no single strategy consistently achieved high performance across all metrics. Prevention and early detection were the most cost-effective and ecologically beneficial, particularly when targeted at high-connectivity systems and supported by professionalized implementation. Mechanical and chemical control methods achieved localized population suppression but lacked long-term durability, while biological and genetic approaches offered innovative potential with unresolved ecological and regulatory challenges. Integrated and adaptive management frameworks, combining multiple strategies and involving stakeholder collaboration, demonstrated the highest overall effectiveness and long-term sustainability. The findings emphasize that successful AIS management requires coordinated, adaptive, and interdisciplinary approaches that align ecological goals with social and institutional capacities. By integrating prevention, monitoring, rapid response, and restoration within collaborative frameworks, managers can enhance ecosystem resilience and reduce reinvasion risk. This synthesis contributes to the growing body of literature advocating for ecosystem-based adaptive strategies as essential pathways toward sustainable freshwater invasive species management in a changing global environment.