The age of the invasives: The anthropogenic effects leading to the increased spread of tropical marine invasive species in 2050 and beyond
Introduction
All discussions regarding the phenomenon of invasive species will inherently result in the consensus that they are an unwanted or an even evil entity. Ever since the age of exploration humans have been primary dispersers of these so called “exotic” species (Mooney and Cleland 2001). Famous examples include the release of cane toads in Australia (Urban et al., 2008); the rainbow trout (Fausch 2008) and the Japanese Kudzu vine in the southern U.S. (Blaustein 2001) and zebra mussels in the great lakes of Canada (Nalepa and Schloesser 1992). However, documented marine invasions compared with
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Our increased appetite for coastal area living, a preference that will likely develop as global temperatures increase, coupled with a rise in seaborne trade and transport, will all contribute to the shaping of future tropical marine ecosystems. Between the years of 1980 and 2000 seaborne trade was shown to increase by 37%, and has continued steadily ever since (Peters 2001). The global mean of ocean transportation is widely acknowledged as a dominant vector regarding invasive species introduction (Carlton 1985), by means of the translocation of larvae and marine microorganisms. One investigation conservatively reported ballast water containing 8 different animal phyla and 5 protist phyla consisting of a total of 81 species (Chu et al., 1997). It is also suggested that at any one moment in time, 10,000 species are transported through ballast water globally (Carlton 1999). An example of a successful invasive transfer via ballast water is the invasion of the comb jelly, Mnemiopsis leidyi, which invaded the Caspian Sea in 1982 (Ivanov et al., 2000). Another ballast water mediated species in recent times is the Pacific brittle star species Ophiactis savignyi, which has now successfully integrated into the tropical West Atlantic (Roy and Sponer 2002). Various management strategies have been manufactured to prevent these ballast tank related problems, …show more content…
This fact may be relevant for the future due to the variable sea temperatures predicted for the future, and when passing between tropical and temperate region boundaries. There are further issues linked with elevated boat transport, in particular marine infrastructures, such as sea walls and jetties, built to facilitate the sea trade and tourism industry, have been found to be highly susceptible to invasive species establishment (Bulleri and Airoldi 2005; Glasby et al.,
Invasive species are non-native organisms that occupy habitats and disrupt the natural ecological cycles of the habitat. They threaten the biodiversity of an ecosystem and are biological pollutants Invasive species introduced into new habitats usually maximize their reproduction in their new home and crowd out native species. Their lack of natural predators in their new community allow for a proliferation in growth and expansion as a result of their abundant food supply. Once they are established, invasive species can rarely be eliminated because their new habitat is favorable for their survival.
A common inference made by scientists predicts that the zebra mussel will continue spreading passively, by ship and by pleasure craft, to more rivers in North America. Trailered boat traffic is the most likely cause for invasion into North America. This spread can be preventable if boaters thoroughly clean and dry their boats and associated equipment before transporting them to new bodies of water. Since no North American predator or combination of predators has been shown to significantly reduce zebra mussel numbers, such spread would most likely result in permanent establishment of zebra mussels in many North American waterways.
The nonnative species of the lionfish, living in tropical waters to depths far below is an unseen threat by first glance. Truth behold, this fish is a serious pest since the first sighting in Dania Beach back in the 1980s. Presently, it has grown out of its bounds and causes harm not only to the sea life but trouble to humans as well. An unmatched appetite with a fast and large reproduction to spawn its species in a matter of only a short time, makes this invasive fish at the top of a sounding alarm. Clever biological adaptations have made this fish a tough fighter to the ecosystem and only in the past few years have we learned to take effective measures to control their population to save our coral reefs.
Invasive species do not only affect other species in their ecosystem, but also cost the United States more than one hundred and twenty million dollars each year in damages (“Cost” par. 2). Invasive species come in all different forms, and all have a negative impact on the environment. These species can come into a new area without being detected at first, but as time goes on their effects can soon be seen. Efforts are being made to prevent these invasive species from destroying fish population and habitat, but in order to be successful they need to be done on a much larger scale. In order to protect Wisconsin's waters, which are already infected with many invasive species that cause great damage to our bodies of water, more actions need to be taken. It is vital to remove all invasive species from Wisconsin’s waters because it will improve fish habitat, native fish population, and water quality.
Nonnative species can also be called alien, exotic, or nonindigenous. Their presence is due to humans dispersing them to other locations beside their native habitat, or by humans creating environmental conditions that allow their growth. When nonnative species begin to take over a new habitat and displace native species, they are then termed an invasive species. Nonnative invasive species are one of the biggest threats to ecosystems in North America (Cox, 1999) because they are able to have an impact on many levels, including ecosystems, communities, and populations (Cushman, Tierney, & Hinds, 2004).
The Red Lionfish (Pterois volitans) is an invasive saltwater predator that is increasing exponentially in the tropics of the western Atlantic (Benkwitt, 2013). The Lionfish invasion is causing a dramatic decline in native marine reef species due the gluttony of the lionfish.
As reported by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), Eurasian milfoil, which is native to Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa, was most likely accidentally introduced to the United States through ballast water, which is water from other places that is dumped into another body of water to aid in stabilizing a ship. The aquatic species are oftentimes trapped in these ballast waters and are released with them into new and unknown environments. This can lead to rapid growth of the invasive species and can become an endangerment to other organisms that...
The piece I chose to do my literary analysis on was the article, The Truth About Invasive Species, written by Alan Burdick. The article states that invasive species are all around us, but the area with the most prominent amount is the suburbs of Miami. It goes into detail about how abundant invasive species are in this area. Most people who would see a strange animal in their lawn or area would be bemused, however for the people of Southern Florida, this is a recurring scene. Burdick states that “virtually everyone in the South Florida, including Hardwick, has a neighbor with a backyard menagerie of lucrative critters on hold for resale”. Burdick describes both how an invasive species is introduced into an ecosystem, and the impact the have on other species upon their arrival.
Emma Marris’ blog, “In Defense of Everglade Pythons,” exhibits that humans have controlled the relationships between the already existing ecosystem within the Florida Everglades, by the latest introduction of pythons, “It’s the blame-the-invasive species narrative…”(Marris). One major method that people have favored unknowingly at times to manipulate nature is introducing a new species to an already working ecosystem. Therefore, people have controlled nature significantly in the U.S. since 1492, when Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue. Humans have altered environments and how that new species will develop. They have overpopulated and underpopulated current places and animal inhabitants. And they have even changed environments for
Invasive species can be defined as any alien species that cause economic or environmental harm. They enter new environment through many ways. The invasive species issue is costing the government a huge amount of money every year and until now it is unknown the best way to eradicate them. Senator McConnell should increase funding on a particular species which is the Asian Carp because it's harming the environment.
Modern-day genetic technology has granted mankind with the opportunity to bring back extinct species from the dead. If humans have come to possess the DNA from an extinct animal population, it is possible to create an identical clone of the animal in question, effectively “bringing it back from the dead”. Many ethical dilemmas surround the practice of de-extinction, and rightfully so. Recreating an extinct species could produce groundbreaking scientific breakthroughs, generating exciting opportunities for future genetics-based research. However, there could also be monumental consequences: the newly revived, once-extinct species might destroy the ecological equilibrium of modern Earth
Invasive species are a leading threat to native species and biodiversity, are an important driver of global ecological and evolutionary change, and have caused significant economic damage. In response, many governments are developing management strategies for prohibiting new introductions and reducing the impacts of aquatic invasive species. The task is daunting: landscapes to be managed are vast, there are numerous invasive species, and resources available for invasive species management activities are limited (Zanden, 2008).
Invasive alien species are disrupting and changing the normal ecological functions of biomes, ecosystems, and the biosphere as a whole (CBD, 2009). They are a threat to biodiversity and can cause damage to, or even eradicate native species which natural cycles and other organisms depend on. While disrupting energy flow, food chains, and shaking the structure of ecosystems to the core, invasive species create not only ecological, but also a whole host of social, economical, and health issues that affect the livelihood of almost every organism on earth, including humans (CBD, 2009).
Introducing exotic species has been a highly debated issue. Why should we bring another animal or plant into a region to eradicate another species? That’s the question that people have been asking for ages. Of course, there are positives to bringing in another species, but many times, there are just as many negatives. Also, these species can be introduced accidentally or intentionally. The new organism may cause no obvious problems and eventually, it will be considered “native” to the area. For example, corals are “perhaps the oldest animals on the planet, and these long-lived corals have evolved in one of the Earth’s most stable environments” (Eichenberg, p.2). If a new type of fish were to be put into the ecosystem with the corals, the coral would be affected. First, the fish might eat the coral. Second, they could use the coral for shelter, and possibly damaging it that way. Third, the fish could bring predators that might also eat the coral. Introducing an exotic species has the “rippling affect” of dropping a stone into a pool of water. Everything outside the epicenter is affected. A study was done at Cornell University, and they estimated that $120 billion per year are spent fixing the problems caused by exotic species” (Chiras, p.
For a long time, human overconsumption has depleted the earth’s resources and as a result, has led to the extinction of any important species in all eco systems. Coral Reefs are a major component to the ocean and its marine food chain. Just like many other ecosystems, the health of coral reefs in general is in a decline, for many reasons. Some reasons include but are not limited to: CO2 emissions, Overfishing, Explosive fishing, and Pollution. Coral Reefs are again one of the most diverse yet fragile ecosystems on the planet, they are also regarded to many marine biologists as “the rainforest of the oceans”. The reefs are not only important to the species from there itself but are also protecting species living near coral reefs. The decline in health won’t only result in harming species in the oceans but also many land creatures as well. The effects of over-fishing have/will break the food chain. Causing cases of over/undergrowth to many species linked with coral. However on the other hand, there are many organizations dedicated to protecting environments that are being threatened due to human activity.