31/10/2003

IVAN GUALA, MARIA MONIA FLAGELLA, NIKOS ANDREAKIS, GABRIELE PROCACCINI, WIEBE H.C.F. KOOISTRA, MARIA CRISTINA BUIA

Abstract

In recent years European coastal regions have experienced a sudden increase in the number of introduced marine species, both animals and plants. Many of these species spread seemingly unchecked and show a rapid increase of their biomass, which affects whole regional ecosystems. Such species are considered invasive. Increased human activities in the realm of shipping, aquaculture, aquariology, and even scientific research may be culprits. The European Community project ALIENS currently evaluates such invasive macroalgae and their effects on coastal resources. Findings may assist coastal government agencies in establishing rules and management strategies to avoid future invasions and to mitigate the ill-effects of allochronous species already established. A consortium of scientists from Spain, United Kingdom, Portugal, France and Italy are currently collaborating through the study ofvarious aspects of these invaders. Research fields include monitoring, experimental ecology, ecophysiology, phylogeography, population genetics and environmental economics. The Laboratories of Benthic Ecology and Marine Botany of the Stazione Zoologica 'A. Dohrn' (SZN) at Naples are partners within this international collaboration. Here we describe the general aims of the ALIENS programme and the SZN activities within this project.

Biogeographia 24