KOTA KINABALU, 18 January 2026 — Conservation experts warn that invasive alien plant species continue to pose a significant threat to the ecological integrity of Kinabalu Park, Malaysia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Southeast Asia’s richest biodiversity hotspots.
Despite ongoing management efforts, surveys of the park, home to thousands of native plant and animal species, show that alien plants are spreading across disturbed areas, especially along trails and near park facilities. Researchers from Sabah Parks and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) documented 98 alien plant species in the park, of which about 65 are classified as invasive. These invasive species have the potential to outcompete native vegetation, alter habitats and undermine the long-term sustainability of ecosystem functions that support the park’s World Heritage status.
Silent Spread Across Fragile Ecosystems
The study found that species such as Hypochaeris radicata (false dandelion), Plantago major (broadleaf plantain) and Crassocephalum crepidioides (redflower ragleaf) were among the more frequently encountered invaders. More concerning were the presence of Imperata cylindrica, Miconia crenata and Lantana camara, all of which are listed globally among the worst invasive plant species due to their aggressive growth habits and capacity to displace native flora.
Research shows that invasive plants tend to proliferate near walking trails, staff quarters and areas of frequent human activity, where seeds are inadvertently introduced through tourism, transport and other human movements. The impact is most pronounced in lower elevation zones and disturbed forest edges, though some invasives have been recorded at higher altitudes as well.
Implications for Conservation and Heritage Status
Kinabalu Park’s rich biodiversity, including numerous endemic species found nowhere else in the world, is one of the key reasons it enjoys World Heritage designation. The sprawling tropical montane forests and unique alpine communities support a complex web of life that can be severely disrupted by invasive plants, which can dominate light and nutrients, choke out native seedlings and change soil chemistry.
Experts say that if the spread of invasive alien species is not effectively controlled, it could degrade core ecological values that justify the park’s UNESCO status, potentially triggering concerns in future World Heritage monitoring and reporting processes.
Ongoing Efforts, But Urgent Action Needed
Efforts to combat invasive species in the park include regular monitoring, eradication campaigns and research initiatives co-led by Sabah Parks and academic partners. Conservationists are also calling for enhanced public awareness, stronger regulatory frameworks and dedicated funding for systematic control measures.
Initiatives such as digital mapping of invasive species distributions and collaboration with local communities are seen as vital parts of a long-term strategy to halt the spread and reduce impacts on native biodiversity.
Park authorities and researchers stress that preventing the further introduction of alien species, especially along tourist trails and logistics corridors, is critical to safeguarding the park’s ecological integrity for future generations.
