Objective The study aims to clarify the current situation and distribution pattern of invasive plants in wetlands of Tianjin City, northern China as well as to prevent and control the invasion of invasive plants in wetlands in Tianjin City. The research can provide a solid theoretical basis for protecting the biodiversity of wetlands in Tianjin City and maintaining ecological security.

Method Based on field surveys and literature, this study used ArcGIS 10.7 and gephi0.10.1 software for graphic to systematically analyze the species composition, life form, origin, invasion level and distribution patterns of invasive alien species in wetlands of Tianjin City.

Result (1) There were 103 species of invasive plants in wetlands of Tianjin City, belonging to 22 families and 67 genera. From the classification point of view, the invasive plants were mainly from Asteraceae (36.89%), followed by Amaranthaceae (13.59%), Gramineae (10.68%), and Leguminosae (6.80%). The invasive plants were mainly from herbaceous plants, accounting for 96.12% of the total invasive plant species. In terms of geographic origin, invasive plants from the Americas were the most abundant (60.19%). Among the invasive alien plants, there were 19 species of Level 1 (malignant invasive plants), accounting for 18.45% of the total. There were 21 species of Level 2 (serious invasive plants), accounting for 20.39% of the total. (2) Wetland invasive plants were more distributed in Jizhou and Baodi Districts, with 64 and 61 species’ than Hedong District, which had the least number of invasive plants, with 1 species.

Conclusion Wetlands of Tianjin City are invaded differently in different areas, presenting many kinds of species and relatively serious invasions in some area. We should strengthen the supervision of American, herbaceous and Asteraceae exotic plants to reduce the expansion spread and harm. At the same time, it can protect the stability and biodiversity of wetland ecosystems.