Control of invasive seaweeds
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Lars W.J. Anderson
Abstract
Seaweeds have invaded ecosystems along the coasts of many countries where they can displace native algae and seagrasses, reduce biodiversity and impair habitat of fish and invertebrates. The most widespread and notorious cases have been introductions of Caulerpa taxifolia, which now infests over 20,000 ha of Mediterranean subtidal zones. Few attempts to control seaweed invasions have been successful, due to often harsh and highly variable physical conditions in marine environments, and the lack of efficacious methods. Use of heat, copper, chlorine, salt, freshwater and various mechanical (removal) approaches have been successful in reducing or eradicating some infestations. Biological control by herbivorous mollusks and sea urchins has been investigated, but has yet to result in any operational programs. Nutrient inputs from near-shore sources have exacerbated the spread of some species (e.g., off the Florida coast). To counter the increase in seaweed introductions and the spread of these species, it will be useful to adapt, where feasible, methods that have proven successful in controlling freshwater weeds. New methods will need to be developed as well. This will require better communication among researchers and managers working to reduce introductions and negative impacts of these seaweeds.
©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)
