Published Survey Gaps and Management Priorities for Invasive Alien Plants in China’s Protected Areas

Protected areas (PAs) are core regions for biodiversity conservation in China, yet they are under severe threat from invasive alien species (IAS). To evaluate the current status of surveys and monitoring of invasive alien plants (IAPs) in China’s PAs, this study systematically analyzed literature related to IAPs in China’s PAs over the past 25 years (2000–2025). The results reveal significant gaps in the published survey and monitoring record, as follows: (1) According to published literature, only 205 out of 6736 PAs (3.04%) have been documented as having conducted IAP surveys, indicating a severe gap in published survey coverage, and the number of recorded IAPs (270) accounts for 67.0% of the national total (403); (2) The spatial distribution of surveys is concentrated mainly in the Yangtze River Delta, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, and Pearl River Delta regions; (3) The taxonomic composition of surveyed IAPs largely reflects the dominance of Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Poaceae in China’s overall IAPs (22.22%, 11.11%, and 8.89%, respectively). To address these problems, this paper proposes a systematic scientific construction path: improve top-level design by revising regulations and issuing specialized technical standards to clarify responsibilities; establish a systematic survey and monitoring system by conducting comprehensive censuses and dynamic monitoring while enhancing interregional collaboration; and optimize resource allocation and prevention strategies by implementing differentiated measures such as “One zone, one policy” and “Epicenter priority” strategies based on PA functional zonation and IAS distribution characteristics. This study aims to provide a scientific basis for improving the effectiveness of IAS prevention and control in China’s PAs.