Impacts of introduced seaweeds
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Britta Schaffelke
Abstract
We analyzed 69 publications on the impacts of introduced seaweeds. The predominant impacts were changed competitive relationships in the recipient habitat, indicated by high abundances of invaders, resultant space monopolization, and reduced abundances/biomass of native macrophytes. Changes in biodiversity, effects on fish and invertebrate fauna, toxic effects on other biota, and habitat change were also identified. The mechanisms underlying the manifestation of impacts are uncertain and inferences about common patterns were hampered because impact studies were available for only a few introduced seaweeds, covered only a fraction of their introduced distribution and generally were conducted over short time scales. There was no information about evolutionary effects or changes of ecosystem processes. Knowledge of socio-economic impacts of invasive seaweeds is poor. We collated costs associated with control/eradication activities and for national spending on marine biosecurity in Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Prevention of impacts is the driving force for costly surveillance, eradication and control programs. Until we are able to understand, predict and measure impacts of introduced seaweeds, the management of species incursions needs to remain focused on early detection, rapid response and control to reduce the likelihood of negative impact effects.
©2007 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York
Articles in the same Issue
- Structure of this issue
- Is the cryptic alien seaweed Ulva pertusa (Ulvales, Chlorophyta) widely distributed along European Atlantic coasts?
- Daily timing of emersion and elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration affect photosynthetic performance of the intertidal macroalga Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta) in sunlight
- Yucatán seaweeds from the offshore waters of Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico
- Dictyota dolabellana sp. nov. (Dictyotaceae, Phaeophyceae) based on morphological and chemical data
- Rostrupiella danica gen. et sp. nov., a Lulworthia-like marine lignicolous species from Denmark and the USA
- Ascoma development in the marine ascomycete Corollospora gracilis (Halosphaeriales, Hypocreomycetidae, Sordariomycetes)
- Low-molecular-mass carbohydrates and soluble polysaccharides of green and red morphs of Gracilaria domingensis (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta)
- Seaweed invasions: introduction and scope
- Introductions of seaweeds: accidental transfer pathways and mechanisms
- Intentional introductions of commercially harvested alien seaweeds
- Mechanisms of invasion: establishment, spread and persistence of introduced seaweed populations
- Mechanisms of invasions: can the recipient community influence invasion rates?
- Methods for identifying and tracking seaweed invasions
- Molecular approaches to the study of invasive seaweeds
- Impacts of introduced seaweeds
- Control of invasive seaweeds
- Invasive seaweeds: global and regional law and policy responses
- Seaweed invasions: conclusions and future directions
- Author information Special Issue Seaweed Invasions
- Subject index Special Issue Seaweed Invasions
- Reviewer acknowledgement Bot. Mar. volume 50 (2007)
- Contents index Bot. Mar. volume 50 (2007)
- Author index Bot. Mar. volume 50 (2007)
- Genus/Species index Bot. Mar. volume 50 (2007)
Articles in the same Issue
- Structure of this issue
- Is the cryptic alien seaweed Ulva pertusa (Ulvales, Chlorophyta) widely distributed along European Atlantic coasts?
- Daily timing of emersion and elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration affect photosynthetic performance of the intertidal macroalga Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta) in sunlight
- Yucatán seaweeds from the offshore waters of Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico
- Dictyota dolabellana sp. nov. (Dictyotaceae, Phaeophyceae) based on morphological and chemical data
- Rostrupiella danica gen. et sp. nov., a Lulworthia-like marine lignicolous species from Denmark and the USA
- Ascoma development in the marine ascomycete Corollospora gracilis (Halosphaeriales, Hypocreomycetidae, Sordariomycetes)
- Low-molecular-mass carbohydrates and soluble polysaccharides of green and red morphs of Gracilaria domingensis (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta)
- Seaweed invasions: introduction and scope
- Introductions of seaweeds: accidental transfer pathways and mechanisms
- Intentional introductions of commercially harvested alien seaweeds
- Mechanisms of invasion: establishment, spread and persistence of introduced seaweed populations
- Mechanisms of invasions: can the recipient community influence invasion rates?
- Methods for identifying and tracking seaweed invasions
- Molecular approaches to the study of invasive seaweeds
- Impacts of introduced seaweeds
- Control of invasive seaweeds
- Invasive seaweeds: global and regional law and policy responses
- Seaweed invasions: conclusions and future directions
- Author information Special Issue Seaweed Invasions
- Subject index Special Issue Seaweed Invasions
- Reviewer acknowledgement Bot. Mar. volume 50 (2007)
- Contents index Bot. Mar. volume 50 (2007)
- Author index Bot. Mar. volume 50 (2007)
- Genus/Species index Bot. Mar. volume 50 (2007)
