The Complete List of Invasive Species In Algeria

Algeria, with its diverse landscapes stretching from the Mediterranean coast to the Sahara, boasts a unique array of flora and fauna. However, like many regions globally, its delicate ecosystems face increasing pressure from species introduced from elsewhere, often with detrimental consequences for native biodiversity and local economies.

To shed light on this critical environmental challenge, this resource presents a focused overview. There are exactly 15 Invasive Species in Algeria detailed here, showcasing a broad spectrum from the widespread Asian tiger mosquito to the aggressively colonizing Water hyacinth. For each entry, you’ll find below essential data organized by Scientific Name, Native Region, and Primary Impact.

What is considered an invasive species in Algeria?

An invasive species in Algeria, like anywhere else, is a non-native organism that is introduced to a new environment and causes significant ecological, economic, or human health harm. These species outcompete native plants and animals for resources, disrupt local food webs, and can lead to biodiversity loss if left unchecked.

Why are these invasive species a concern for Algeria’s environment?

The presence of invasive species poses a serious threat to Algeria’s natural heritage. They can degrade habitats, alter natural processes like water flow and nutrient cycling, and reduce the populations of indigenous species, some of which may be endemic to the region. This loss of biodiversity can destabilize entire ecosystems and impact agriculture and fisheries.

Invasive Species in Algeria

Common Name	Scientific Name	Native Region	Primary Impact
Prosopis	Prosopis juliflora	Central and South America	Ecological and economic
Prickly pear	Opuntia ficus-indica	Mexico	Ecological and land-use
Water hyacinth	Eichhornia crassipes	Amazon basin, South America	Ecological and economic
Mosquitofish	Gambusia holbrooki	Eastern North America	Ecological
Red swamp crayfish	Procambarus clarkii	Southern USA and Mexico	Ecological and agricultural
Asian tiger mosquito	Aedes albopictus	Southeast Asia	Human health
Red palm weevil	Rhynchophorus ferrugineus	Southeast Asia	Economic and ecological
Black rat	Rattus rattus	South Asia	Economic and human health
Brown rat	Rattus norvegicus	Northern China	Economic and human health
Nutria	Myocastor coypus	South America	Ecological and economic
Nile tilapia	Oreochromis niloticus	Nile basin and East Africa	Ecological and economic
Red-eared slider	Trachemys scripta elegans	Central North America	Ecological
Australian acacia	Acacia saligna	Southwest Australia	Ecological
Blue gum eucalyptus	Eucalyptus globulus	Australia	Ecological and water-resource impacts
Silverleaf nightshade	Solanum elaeagnifolium	North and South America	Agricultural and ecological

Images and Descriptions

Prosopis

Hardy thorny tree introduced for grazing and dune stabilization that forms dense stands across southern Algeria and oases, displacing native plants, reducing pasture for livestock and clogging water points

Prickly pear

Introduced for fruit and hedges, this cactus has become a widespread invasive in Algeria, forming impenetrable thickets that reduce biodiversity, hinder grazing and make land reclamation costly

Water hyacinth

Fast-growing floating plant that clogs Algerian rivers, reservoirs and irrigation canals, reducing oxygen for fish, blocking water flow and increasing maintenance costs

Mosquitofish

Introduced to control mosquitoes, now widespread in Algerian ponds and wetlands where it preys on native fish and amphibians and alters aquatic food webs

Red swamp crayfish

Aggressive freshwater crayfish recorded in Algerian waterways; burrowing damages irrigation banks, it competes with native aquatic species and can impact rice and vegetable crops

Asian tiger mosquito

Established in northern Algeria, this daytime-biting mosquito increases risk of dengue and chikungunya transmission and causes major nuisance in urban and peri-urban areas

Red palm weevil

Serious pest of date palms across Algeria; larvae bore into trunks and crowns, killing trees that are economically and culturally important and forcing costly control measures

Black rat

Widespread commensal rodent in Algerian towns and farms that damages crops and stored food, spreads disease and preys on native birds and small vertebrates

Brown rat

Common in urban Algeria; contaminates food supplies, damages infrastructure and poses public-health risks through pathogen transmission

Nutria

Semi-aquatic rodent recorded in some Algerian wetlands that feeds on bank vegetation, causing erosion, degrading wetland habitat and damaging crops and irrigation structures

Nile tilapia

Introduced for aquaculture and stocked in Algerian reservoirs; can outcompete native fish, alter aquatic ecosystems and affect small-scale fisheries

Red-eared slider

Released pet turtle now found in Algerian urban ponds and waterways; competes with native turtles, can spread parasites and alters local aquatic communities

Australian acacia

Planted for stabilization and forestry, it has naturalized in parts of Algeria where dense stands outcompete native shrubs, change soil nitrogen levels and increase fire risk

Blue gum eucalyptus

Widely planted in Algeria for wood and erosion control; where it naturalizes it can lower groundwater levels, alter soils and reduce native plant diversity