perپژوهشکده محیط زیست جهاددانشگاهیپژوهش و فناوری محیط زیست2676-30602676-30602026-051119articleSomayeh Tokasistokasi@yahoo.com1Mahmoud Tokasim_bidarlord@areeo.ac.ir2Plant Protection Research Department, Gilan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Rasht, Iran Forests and Rangelands Research Department, Gilan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Rasht, Iran<p style="text-align: left;">Alien species, due to their rapid growth, high adaptability and competitive ability, pose a significant threat to biodiversity. <em>Sida</em> <em>rhombifolia</em> has been observed as an alien plant species in the habitats of Gilan province. The provision of suitable strategies for the management of invasive species is contingent upon precise knowledge of their regional distribution. This study aimed to accurately identify this species and its map geographical distribution across Gilan province. Field surveys were conducted during 2023 and 2024 in various habitats throughout the province and distribution data were collected using GPS devices and the spatial distribution map was generated using ArcGIS software. Results revealed that <em>S.</em> <em>rhombifolia</em> has a widespread distribution in numerous locations across rural roadsides of Gilan province including Amlash, Siahkal, Langrud, Rudsar, Fuman, Rasht, Talesh, Astara and Soumesara. It is also proliferating in the tea plantation. The high frequency of records suggests that this plant is capable of effectively competing with native flora, suggesting the risk of it becoming invasive and posing significant challenges to farmers in future. Therefore, continuous monitoring and management planning are essential to mitigate its potential impacts on biodiversity and habitat structure.</p>http://journal.eri.acecr.ir/Article/51128alien plant invasive plant biodiversity biological invasion GIS