Conservation of Marine Biodiversity and Resources

Invasive species-

Invasive species are now the biggest threat to marine ecosystems and biodiversity, and the coast of California has the highest known rates of invasion by non-indigenous species in the nation, imposing a considerable drain on our economy. We are addressing this problem by using a three-tiered approach. We are developing a watch list of species of concern and an early warning system for detecting these species before they become established and spread. Our best hope for the early detection of non-native species is to monitor coastal plankton communities and ballast water of ships by using DNA-based methods. Most species develop in the plankton, and it is easier to detect them there than by routinely surveying vast tracks of ocean bottom, especially for cryptic, hidden, infaunal or cryptogenic species. Second, we are developing a priority list of candidate species for eradication and control after establishment, based on the degree of larval connectivity among populations. We are developing and applying trace elemental fingerprinting techniques in combination with eradication efforts to quantify the connectivity of high priority species. Third, we are determining impacts of invasive species on native communities as they spread along rocky shores and natural constraints on their spread. Extensive ecological studies have been conducted in rocky intertidal communities providing an ideal testing ground for the community wide impacts of a recently arrived invasive Mediterranean mussel on other mussel foundation species in the context of competition, predation, disease and physical stressors. Jenna Shinen is showing that M. galloprovincialis has the competitive advantage but is still only weakly established in wave-exposed rocky intertidal communities; rather, predation by whelks may limit its distribution. However, as propagule supply increases with the rising aquaculture industry, invading populations likely will overcome predation pressure and begin to out-compete native mussels.

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