Features and Significance of Studies on Domestic Alien Species in Japan

Abstract

Abstract: Invasive alien species pose major threats to the biodiversity conservation. Limited awareness has prevented thorough studies of domestic alien species. This study aims to highlight the importance of domestic alien species within invasion science by reviewing existing research in this area. We examined the characteristics of domestic alien species studies and compiled research conducted in Japan since 2002 from three databases, Google Scholar, CiNii Articles, and J-Stage. Our analysis, which included 82 articles published between 2010 and 2024, uncovered regional biases, taxonomic biases, and the importance of citizen science. Our findings indicate that studies on domestic alien species are not only crucial for fundamental biodiversity conservation research, but also have significant applications in environmental education. We also revealed that various English expressions are used to refer to domestic alien species in Japan. These insights are valuable for advancing research on domestic alien species.