International Journal of Aquaculture, 2024, Vol.14, No.4, 174-183 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ija 174 Research Perspective Open Access Ecological Impacts of Common Carp Invasions: A Global Perspective Qiong Wang, Chenmin Sun, Liping Liu Tropical Marine Fisheries Research Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China Corresponding author: liping.liu@hitar.org International Journal of Aquaculture, 2024, Vol.14, No.4 doi: 10.5376/ija.2024.14.0018 Received: 15 May, 2024 Accepted: 19 Jun., 2024 Published: 04 Jul., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Wang et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Wang Q., Sun C.M., and Liu L.P., 2024, Ecological impacts of common carp invasions: a global perspective, International Journal of Aquaculture, 14(4): 174-183 (doi: 10.5376/ija.2024.14.0018) Abstract As an invasive species that is widely spread globally, common carp (Cyprinus carpio) has caused significant ecological impacts on aquatic ecosystems. The invasion of carp has not only disrupted the ecological balance in many areas, but has also had an economic impact on commercial and recreational fishing, increasing the cost of management and control. This study examines the global status of carp invasion and explores its ecological consequences on the destruction of native species, changes in food web dynamics, and impacts on water quality and sediments. This paper analyzes several cases to show the diversity impacts of carp invasions and the current management strategies, including physical removal, biological control and policy supervision, in order to provide an important theoretical basis for the integrated management of carp invasions and put forward the direction of future research. Keywords Carp invasion; Ecological impacts; Aquatic ecosystems; Biodiversity conservation; Management strategy 1 Introduction The common carp (Cyprinus carpio), originally native to Eurasia, is one of the most widely distributed freshwater fish species globally. Its introduction to various regions has been driven by aquaculture, recreational fishing, and ornamental purposes. The species exhibits traits such as high fecundity, adaptability to diverse environmental conditions, and a generalist diet, which contribute to its success as an invasive species (Crichigno et al., 2016). In regions like Australia, the common carp has become the most abundant large freshwater fish, significantly altering local ecosystems (Koeh, 2004). Similarly, in the Mediterranean region, historical, economic, and cultural factors have facilitated its spread, impacting native aquatic systems (Vilizzi, 2012). Invasive species, such as the common carp, pose significant threats to biodiversity, ecosystem services, and local economies. The global spread of common carp has been well-documented, with established populations in North and South America, Australia, and various parts of Europe and Asia (Nedoluzhko et al., 2021). Ecological niche modeling has shown that common carp can potentially invade a wide range of habitats, from temperate regions to high mountain tropical aquatic systems (Oh et al., 2023). In South America, for instance, the species has expanded its range westward into the Andean region, demonstrating its ability to colonize new environments (Ruppert et al., 2017). The rapid spread and establishment of common carp in diverse regions underscore the need for effective management strategies to mitigate its ecological impacts. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the ecological impacts of carp invasion from a global perspective. To summarize the current distribution and distribution of carp in various regions of the world; assess the ecological consequences of carp invasions on native species and ecosystems; Identify knowledge gaps and propose future research directions to better understand and manage the impacts of common carp invasions. Synthesizing information from multiple studies will contribute to a better understanding of the global ecological impacts of carp and inform policy and management decisions to protect native biodiversity and ecosystem health. 2 Historical Context of Common Carp Invasions 2.1 Origin and natural habitat The common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is native to the Ponto-Caspian and Far Eastern regions, as well as northern
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