Understanding Patterns and Effects of Nonindigenous Species Invasions on Multiple Spatial Scales: A Quantitative and Comparative Approach
Over the last decade, research and monitoring have been identifying hundreds of non-native species of aquatic organisms in the waters of Chesapeake Bay, the Great Lakes and San Francisco Bay. Some 400 exotic marine and estuarine species are known in U.S. waters; more than 200 have been identified in the Mediterranean Sea and greater than 100 in Australia. While some of these species dominate their invaded communities, scientists still lack a fundamental understanding about the impacts that exotic species have on the ecology and foodwebs of coastal waters. For instance, there is evidence that the eastern sides of the continents are less invaded than western sides, presumably due to climate and perhaps source regions; there is also evidence that a single invasive species may perform differently depending on the aquatic ecosystem, the result perhaps of genetic differences or ecological and environmental reactions. Understanding these and other issues is critical for assessing which species represent significant risks and how they vary among ecosystems. In this project, Gregory Ruiz and his colleagues will work collaboratively with investigators on the west coast of the U.S. and in Australia to determine the impact of fouling organisms; they will take species samples in aquatic habitats to distinguish between resident and exotic species and will compare their findings with ongoing ballast water sampling programs. They will also deploy hard surfaces in coastal waters to evaluate settlement patterns of native and non-native fouling organisms. Over the long term, the findings here should help advance international approaches to better controlling the global problem of non-indigenous species invasions.
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Gregory M. Ruiz, Jeffrey A. Crooks, Anson H. Hines
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
James T. Carlton
Maritime Studies Program
Williams College-Mystic Seaport
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