scholarly journals Invasion and potential risks of introduced exotic aquatic species in Indian islands

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-85
Author(s):  
C. Raghunathan ◽  
T. Mondal ◽  
K. Chandra
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Water Discharge ◽  
Aquatic Invasive Species ◽  
Island Ecosystems ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Potential Risks ◽  
Nicobar Islands ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Detrimental Impact

Abstract India is endowed with a wide range of ecosystems, of which oceanic island ecosystems viz. Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep are unique and ecologically fragile because of the high degree of endemism in species composition. Altogether 25 species under different faunal groups such as cnidarians, polychaetes, cirripedes, mollusks, and ascidians are reported as invasive species in Indian islands, of which 24 species are found in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, while 4 species are available in Lakshadweep. Ship-mediated invasions, especially ballast water discharge and ship-hull fouling, are the major source of invasions as these islands are located in the vicinity of the international sea route. In the present paper, we have represented these non-native species of fauna and flora to discriminate and identify them as non-native or invasive. This study deals with the diversity and distribution of aquatic invasive species in islands and their detrimental impact on the island ecosystem.

scholarly journals What’s for Dinner? Assessing the Value of an Edible Invasive Species and Outreach Actions to Promote Its Consumption

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inês Cerveira ◽  
Vânia Baptista ◽  
Maria Alexandra Teodósio ◽  
Pedro Morais
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Aquatic Invasive Species ◽  
Native Range ◽  
Invasive Fish ◽  
Press Releases ◽  
Cynoscion Regalis ◽  
The Public ◽  
Native Resources ◽  
A New Species

Abstract Promoting the consumption of edible aquatic invasive species has gained popularity to minimize its impacts while easing pressure on native resources. Weakfish Cynoscion regalis (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) is one of the most recent invasive fish species in the Iberian Peninsula (Europe) which once sustained an important fishery in the native range (Northwest Atlantic Ocean). Portugal ranks third in the list of the world’s top fish consumers, so promoting a weakfish fishery could at least help minimize the impacts upon native species, since weakfish have innate traits that are likely appreciated by Portuguese fish consumers. However, introducing a new species to consumers is challenging owing to consumers’ habits and unfamiliarity with the species. So, we aimed to (i) evaluate the acceptance of weakfish by a panel of Portuguese fish consumers and (ii) create outreach actions – partnerships with local Chefs and press releases – to explain to a broader public what invasive species are and promote the consumption of edible aquatic invasive species. The survey that we conducted to Portuguese fish consumers showed that weakfish has great chances of being well accepted by the public – 90% of consumers would buy weakfish because they appreciated its appearance, flavour, and texture, besides being a wild fish. The outreach actions reached a few million people because 46 online articles were published, and three news pieces broadcasted on national television. Overall, our strategy greatly increased the public’s awareness about invasive species, which can be replicated elsewhere in the world.

scholarly journals Biochar Rescues Native Trees in a Global Biodiversity Hotspot

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leeladarshini Sujeeun ◽  
Sean C. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Biodiversity Hotspot ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Island Ecosystems ◽  
Native Tree ◽  
Native Tree Species ◽  
Global Biodiversity

Many tropical invasive species have allelopathic effects that contribute to their success in native plant communities. Pyrolyzed biomass (“biochar”) can sorb toxic compounds, including allelochemicals produced by invasive plants, potentially reducing their inhibitory effects on native species. Strawberry guava (Psidium cattleianum) is among the most important allelopathic invasive species in tropical islands and recognized as the most serious invasive species threat in the global biodiversity hotspot of Mauritius. We investigated the effects of additions of locally produced biochar on native tree species in a field experiment conducted in areas invaded by strawberry guava within Mauritius’ largest national park. Growth and survivorship of native tree species were monitored over 2 ½ years in plots subjected to four treatments: non-weeded, weeded, weeded + 25 t/ha biochar and weeded + 50 t/ha biochar. Native tree growth and survivorship were strongly suppressed by strawberry guava. Biochar treatments dramatically increased native tree performance, with more than a doubling in growth, and substantially increased native tree survivorship and species diversity, while suppressing strawberry guava regeneration, consistent with growth-promoting properties and sorption of allelochemicals. We conclude that biochars, including “sustainable biochars” produced from locally accessible biomass using low-tech pyrolysis systems, have considerable potential to counteract effects of allelopathic invaders and increase the capacity for native species regeneration in tropical island ecosystems.

scholarly journals Network connectivity of Minnesota waterbodies and implications for aquatic invasive species prevention

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Szu-Yu Zoe Kao ◽  
Eva A. Enns ◽  
Megan Tomamichel ◽  
Adam Doll ◽  
Luis E. Escobar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Intervention Strategies ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Aquatic Invasive Species ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Low Degree ◽  
State And Local ◽  
High Degree

AbstractConnectivity between waterbodies influences the risk of aquatic invasive species (AIS) invasion. Understanding and characterizing the connectivity between waterbodies through high-risk pathways, such as recreational boats, is essential to develop economical and effective prevention intervention to control the spread of AIS. Fortunately, state and local watercraft inspection programs are collecting significant data that can be used to quantify boater connectivity. We created a series of predictive models to capture the patterns of boater movements across all lakes in Minnesota, USA. Informed by more than 1.3 million watercraft inspection surveys from 2014–2017, we simulated boater movements connecting 9182 lakes with a high degree of accuracy. Our predictive model accurately predicted 97.36% of the lake pairs known to be connected and predicted 91.01% of the lake pairs known not to be connected. Lakes with high degree and betweenness centrality were more likely to be infested with an AIS than lakes with low degree (p < 0.001) and centrality (p < 0.001). On average, infested lakes were connected to 1200 more lakes than uninfested lakes. In addition, boaters that visited infested lakes were more likely to visit other lakes, increasing the risk of AIS spread to uninfested lakes. The use of the simulated boater networks can be helpful for determining the risk of AIS invasion for each lake and for developing management tools to assist decision makers to develop intervention strategies.

A review of the diet of Rusa Deer Cervus timorensis russa in New Caledonia: Are the endemic plants defenceless against this introduced, eruptive ruminant?

2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel de Garine-Wichatitsky ◽  
Patrick Duncan ◽  
Alice Labbe’ ◽  
Bernard Suprin ◽  
Philippe Chardonnet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
New Caledonia ◽  
Native Vegetation ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Island Ecosystems ◽  
Herbivore Interactions ◽  
Plant Herbivore ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Wild Deer ◽  
Mixed Feeder

Rusa Deer Cervus timorensis russa was introduced to New Caledonia in 1870 from Java, and has colonized the main island of Grande Terre, where it is found in virtually all the terrestrial biotopes. Despite its abundance and its socio-economic importance for New Caledonians, little is known about the diets of the wild deer populations living in contact with native vegetation which has a high degree of endemism and which, until recently, evolved without ruminant herbivores. We collected information on the diet of Rusa Deer in New Caledonia from published and unpublished reports, a questionnaire addressed to experts and preliminary data from browse-surveys. All sources of information suggested that wild Rusa Deer in New Caledonia is a mixed-feeder, and the list of plants consumed included 25 grasses, 15 forbs, 26 trees/shrubs and 12 vines and ferns. Nearly half (49%) of the plants identified as principal and preferred foods were introduced species. Physical defences (spines and thorns) did not seem to deter deer. It is remarkable that many of the avoided plants were native species (56% of the avoided species). Further research is required to confirm these results, but they are relevant to the evolution of plant/herbivore interactions and to the management of deer populations for conservation perspectives in island ecosystems.

scholarly journals The impact of archaeological clearing on secondary succession in a tropical rainforest

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison J Herbert
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
French Polynesia ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Island Ecosystems ◽  
Forest Clearing ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Human Interactions ◽  
A Site ◽  
The Impact

Disturbance events can often create an environment that allows invasive species to colonize, particularly on susceptible island ecosystems. An increasingly common form are anthropogenic disturbances, which are caused by human interactions with the environment. The ‘Opunohu Valley on the island of Mo’orea, French Polynesia experiences continuous disturbance events in the form of forest clearing for archaeological excavations and mapping. This study examined whether archaeological clearing events increased the number of invasive plants during secondary regrowth by surveying four previously clear-cut archaeological sites for invasive vascular plants. There appeared to be no difference across treatments when looking at non-native species, but there was a difference in recent invaders. There was high variation between sites, indicating a possible confounding variable of previous habitation use or number of times cleared which varied across sites. The highest proportion of invasive species were found in a site that was repeatedly cleared for tourism purposes. Cleared archaeological sites overall had no effect on the invasion of non-native species, but may have helped distribute more recent invasive species. Thus, forest management organizations should take more precautions when conducting archaeological clearing and rebuilding prehistoric sites.

scholarly journals Modeling the risk of introduction of non-native species by biofouling on ships' hulls: case study of Arzew port (Algeria)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adel KACIMI ◽  
Abderrahmane BOUDA ◽  
Bilel BENSARI ◽  
Nour El Islam BACHARI ◽  
Fouzia HOUMA
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Aquatic Invasive Species ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Species Introduction ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Environmental Similarity

Abstract Biofouling of ship hulls is considered as one of the oldest vectors for the transfer of aquatic invasive species. However, the introduction of non-native species by ballast water has received much more research attention. In this study, an alternative approach to dealing with biofouling was proposed for the port of Arzew, based on ship characteristics and transit routes. The strategy consisted of calculation of the surface area of biofouling of all ships calling at the port of Arzew during the period (2013–2016), to which was added spatial modeling using a Geographic Information System to highlight the most relevant information. We identified the areas that represented a high risk of species introduction according to their respective ecoregions of origin; those areas that constituted a minor risk, the type of ship that most likely promotes the establishment of non-native species by comparing the environmental similarity of the ecoregions assigned to the different ships with the environmental characteristics of the port of Arzew obtained by satellite imagery. The study showed that over a period of four years, 5,733 ships called at the port of Arzew, accumulating a total surface area of 35 million square meters. These results can be used for invasive species management purposes; such as: the application of specific regulations on ships of a certain tonnage that most promote the transfer of non-indigenous species, as well as their ecoregions of origin that present a great environmental similarity with the western Mediterranean, in order to minimize the transfer of aquatic invasive species.

scholarly journals State of aquatic invasive species in tropical India: An overview

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 13-23
Author(s):  
Atul K. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Aquatic Invasive Species ◽  
Economic Damage ◽  
Invasion Pathways ◽  
Tropical Country ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Assessment Protocol ◽  
Freshwater Aquaculture

Abstract India, a megadiverse tropical country is grappling with the rising trend of aquatic invasions. Out of 532 introduced non-native fish, 16 species of freshwater aquaculture and aquarium were assessed invasive by using a risk assessment protocol, ‘Fish Invasiveness Screening Test’. Six major identified invasion pathways of the aquatic invasive species were inadvertent or deliberate releases, escapes, contaminants from hatcheries, river corridors, stowaways and unaided introductions. Invasion mechanism further elucidated the factors promoting successful invasion in freshwater ecosystems. For predictive future performance of invasive fish, the concrete and predictive values based on mean abundance by weight was calculated. Over 28.67% and 29.02 % persistent increased yield of the invasive Tilapia and Common Carp respectively was predicted in the Ganga river in the coming decades. Single species Tilapia invasion facilitated multiple species fish invasion, manifesting in invasion meltdown. The trophic changes due to fish invasion exhibited biotic homogenization with trophic downgrading. Aquatic invasive species were found highly competitive interacting with native species causing serious biodiversity loss, health hazards, and economic damage consequently affecting the ecosystem services. In spite of available regulatory approaches and guidelines to manage aquatic invasive species, fish invasion has been on the rise. This paper suggests modifications and stringent implementation of the existing regulatory mechanisms besides adopting linkages, cutting-edge research on invasion science and modern molecular containment tools for effective management.

scholarly journals The impact of archaeological clearing on secondary succession in a tropical rainforest

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison J Herbert
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
French Polynesia ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Island Ecosystems ◽  
Forest Clearing ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Human Interactions ◽  
A Site ◽  
The Impact

Disturbance events can often create an environment that allows invasive species to colonize, particularly on susceptible island ecosystems. An increasingly common form are anthropogenic disturbances, which are caused by human interactions with the environment. The ‘Opunohu Valley on the island of Mo’orea, French Polynesia experiences continuous disturbance events in the form of forest clearing for archaeological excavations and mapping. This study examined whether archaeological clearing events increased the number of invasive plants during secondary regrowth by surveying four previously clear-cut archaeological sites for invasive vascular plants. There appeared to be no difference across treatments when looking at non-native species, but there was a difference in recent invaders. There was high variation between sites, indicating a possible confounding variable of previous habitation use or number of times cleared which varied across sites. The highest proportion of invasive species were found in a site that was repeatedly cleared for tourism purposes. Cleared archaeological sites overall had no effect on the invasion of non-native species, but may have helped distribute more recent invasive species. Thus, forest management organizations should take more precautions when conducting archaeological clearing and rebuilding prehistoric sites.

scholarly journals Fatal attraction: sexually cannibalistic invaders attract naive native mantids

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 20130746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murray P. Fea ◽  
Margaret C. Stanley ◽  
Gregory I. Holwell
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Reproductive Interference ◽  
Sexual Signals ◽  
Praying Mantis ◽  
Fatal Attraction ◽  
High Degree ◽  
The Impact

Overlap in the form of sexual signals such as pheromones raises the possibility of reproductive interference by invasive species on similar, yet naive native species. Here, we test the potential for reproductive interference through heterospecific mate attraction and subsequent predation of males by females of a sexually cannibalistic invasive praying mantis. Miomantis caffra is invasive in New Zealand, where it is widely considered to be displacing the only native mantis species, Orthodera novaezealandiae , and yet mechanisms behind this displacement are unknown. We demonstrate that native males are more attracted to the chemical cues of introduced females than those of conspecific females. Heterospecific pairings also resulted in a high degree of mortality for native males. This provides evidence for a mechanism behind displacement that has until now been undetected and highlights the potential for reproductive interference to greatly influence the impact of an invasive species.

scholarly journals Inter-basin water transfers and the expansion of aquatic invasive species

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda Gallardo ◽  
David C. Aldridge
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Freshwater Mussels ◽  
Aquatic Invasive Species ◽  
Water Transfers ◽  
Water Abstraction ◽  
Freshwater Invasion ◽  
New Locations ◽  
Basin Water ◽  
Impact On Biodiversity

AbstractInter-basin Water Transfers (IBWT) are recognized as one of the major pathways of freshwater invasion. They provide a direct link between previously isolated catchments and may modify the habitat conditions of the receiving waters such that they become more favourable for the establishment of invasive species. Combined, IBWT and invasive species will intensify the stress upon native species and ecosystems. Using the Severn and Thames Rivers-two of the largest river systems in Great Britain—as a case study, here we assess the potential influence of IBWT on the expansion of invasive species and thus their impact on biodiversity conservation. The Thames Valley is subject to extensive water abstraction, and an increasing population means that supplemented flow from the River Severn is being considered. Multi-scale Suitability Models, based on climate and water chemistry respectively, provided novel evidence that there is serious risk for further spread of invasive species in the focus area, particularly of the quagga mussel, a recent invader of the Thames River. Native freshwater mussels are particularly vulnerable to changing environmental conditions, and may suffer the decrease in alkalinity and increase in sedimentation associated with an IBWT from the lower Severn to the upper Thames. Regional models suggest considerable overlap between the areas suitable for three vulnerable native freshwater mussels and the expansion of invasive species that negatively impact upon the native mussels. This study illustrates the use of novel spatially-explicit techniques to help managers make informed decisions about the risks associated with introducing aquatic invasive species under different engineering scenarios. Such information may be especially important under new legislation (e.g. EU Invasive Species Regulation No 1143/2014) which increases the responsibility of water managers to contain and not transfer invasive species into new locations.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document