Team: Nobin Raja M

Description: Invasive Alien species (IAS) are one of the largest threats to global biodiversity hot-spots. IAS affect multiple trophic levels and stimulate negative ecological cascades. Interaction and the impacts of these IAF on local biodiversity are difficult to predict given that they may not naturally interact and often the interaction would be highly volatile. Recent studies have shown the presence of Invasive Alien Fishes (IAF) in freshwater lakes conserved under the Ramsar Convention for the protection of wetlands. India, with 46 Ramsar sites, is highly vulnerable to the negative impact of IAS. The project aims to use a non-invasive eDNA approach to map and monitor IAF in selected Ramsar sites in East and North East India and assess the dietary impact of IAF on local flora and fauna using a meta-barcoding approach. Further, the project aims to develop effective management strategies and incorporate citizen science in monitoring invasive species.