Effects of the receiving assemblage and disturbance on the colonisation of an invasive species

Abstract

evaluated the effects of the presence of organic matter of a different source (simulating a disturbance event affecting different habitats) on colonisation. A model generalist invader, the isopod Cirolana harfordi, was introduced to patches of oyster beds with (1) undisturbed (live) assemblages, (2) disturbed assemblages, (3) organic matter (using organic matter of a different source), or (4) no assemblage or organic matter. Our results indicated that the presence of an assemblage (disturbed or not) fostered colonisation; however, colonisation was less successful when the assemblage was undisturbed. Results also indicate that for a disturbance event to affect the colonisation of C. harfordi, it has to directly affect the invaded assemblage. These results add to the understanding of the factors driving invasions, which is important to design management strategies.

Environmental disturbance alters the ecological impact of an invading shrimp

“…The consequences for the invaded ecosystem depend on characteristics of both the invading species and the ecosystem (Blackburn et al., ; Didham, Tylianakis, Hutchison, Ewers, & Gemmell, ; Henriksson, Wardle, Trygg, Diehl, & Englund, ; Kolar & Lodge, ; Ricciardi, Hoopes, Marchetti, & Lockwood, ; van Kleunen, Dawson, Schlaepfer, Jeschke, & Fischer, ). Ecosystems disturbed by humans are particularly prone to invasions as invaders frequently exploit disturbances (Bellard, Cassey, & Blackburn, ; Bugnot, Coleman, Figueira, & Marzinelli, ; Clark & Johnston, ; Hollings, Jones, Mooney, & McCallum, ; MacDougall & Turkington, ; Turner, ). However, the impact that invaders have on human‐disturbed ecosystems, and how this depends on other ongoing disturbances, are poorly understood.…”

“…Ecosystems disturbed by humans are particularly prone to invasions as invaders frequently exploit disturbances (Bellard, Cassey, & Blackburn, 2016;Bugnot, Coleman, Figueira, & Marzinelli, 2016;Clark & Johnston, 2011;Hollings, Jones, Mooney, & McCallum, 2016;MacDougall & Turkington, 2005;Turner, 2010). However, the impact that invaders have on human-disturbed ecosystems, and how this depends on other ongoing disturbances, are poorly understood.…”

An overview of recent research in marine biological invasions

“…While classical invasion theory suggests that disturbance promotes invasion by freeing resources and reducing competition (Elton 1958 ; Davis et al 2000 ), its influence on invasion success appears to be complex, depending on species and ecosystem properties, type and timing of disturbance, and spatial scale (e.g., Lonsdale 1999 ; Melbourne et al 2007 ; Clark and Johnston 2011 ). An experimental study reported that colonization by the nonindigenous isopod Cirolana harfordi from Sydney Harbour, Australia was facilitated by the presence of an assemblage and influenced by the type of resident assemblage, with greater success on disturbed assemblages than undisturbed ones (Bugnot et al 2016 ). The type of disturbance was important, as an alternative source of organic matter simulating the effects of disturbance occurring upstream of the study site had no influence on colonization (Bugnot et al 2016 ).…”

“…An experimental study reported that colonization by the nonindigenous isopod Cirolana harfordi from Sydney Harbour, Australia was facilitated by the presence of an assemblage and influenced by the type of resident assemblage, with greater success on disturbed assemblages than undisturbed ones (Bugnot et al 2016 ). The type of disturbance was important, as an alternative source of organic matter simulating the effects of disturbance occurring upstream of the study site had no influence on colonization (Bugnot et al 2016 ). In contrast, results of two empirical studies conducted in New Zealand suggest that disturbance had limited effects on the recruitment of U. pinnatifida (Morelissen et al 2016 ; South and Thomsen 2016 ).…”

Pet snakes illegally marketed in Brazil: Climatic viability and establishment risk

“…Biological invasions represent one of the principal threats to global biodiversity [ 1 ]. Either accidentally or intentionally, the introduction of exotic species [ 2 ] is responsible for the invasion of various species around the world, many of which have caused severe damage to the natural environment and wildlife [ 3 – 5 ]. Factors that determine which species will be successful invaders involve a number of complex interactions between the species and the biotic and abiotic components of the invaded region [ 6 – 8 ].…”