CHAOS

CLIMATE CHANGE AND SPECIES INVASIONS IN AQUATIC SYSTEMS: A COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Climate change and invasive species are widely recognized to be pervasive aspects of global change. However, in aquatic systems a synthetic approach that specifically addresses their important interactive and synergistic effects is missing. CHAOS aims at filling this gap in knowledge by strengthening the scientific basis also needed to formulate management recommendations and to develop integrated policies. Specifically, the project will: (1) synthesize historical records on the climate of inland waters, transitional waters, and coastal areas in the Mid-Atlantic Region of North America and in the Mediterranean Europe, identify the animal species introduced to these systems, and analyze these data in conjunction with geographical, ecological, and socio-economic variables; (2) detail, by collecting in situ first-hand information, the synergistic effects of climate change and targeted invasive species on a range of ecosystems and their services for a selected area in North America; and (3) explore, through laboratory-based experiments, the influence of temperature and salinity on biological traits of an invasive crustacean of particular concern for both North America and Europe, the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis. During the 2-year outgoing phase, the fellow researcher will be hosted by the Department of Ecology and Evolution at Stony Brook University (USA). In this prestigious institution, she will acquire new knowledge in the field of global change and complementary skills that will be conveyed to the home country upon her return to the Department of Evolutionary Biology at the University of Florence (Italy). The IO Fellowship will help the proponent reach professional maturity and independence, and ultimately will allow her to reinforce the profile of the European contribution to the current debate around the many factors responsible of global change.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

An EU-funded initiative investigated the link between climate change and the spread of aquatic species outside their traditional geographic range. These 'invasive' species are introduced through human activities, resulting in damage to the local environment, the economy and human health.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Increasing temperatures, sea-level rise, and changes to salinity and rainfall patterns may alter the composition of biological communities in coastal and estuarine waters.

The 'Climate change and species invasions in aquatic ecosystems: A comparative perspective' (CHAOS) project addressed this problem by studying the impact of invasive species on the aquatic environment.

Anthropogenic factors include aquaculture, shipping and the aquarium trade.Changes in climate leading to reduced ice cover in lakes, altered stream flows and increased salinity are expected to influence the transport of new alien species and the distribution of established alien species.

Climate change can also reduce the impact of actions designed to mitigate damage, such as biological control.

Rising temperatures will help warm-water species that have been introduced into temperate regions to become better established.

This could result in an increase in the effects of foreign predators on indigenous prey and the virulence of alien diseases to native species. Increases in the magnitude and frequency of floods will also aid the dispersal of alien aquatic species such as zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha).

These species cause considerable damage by blocking the water inlet pipes of power stations and other facilities.

Prolonged droughts will favour the burrowing behaviour of the invasive Louisiana crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), which can outcompete native European crayfish.CHAOS researchers studied historical data on the climate of inland waters, transitional waters and coastal areas of the mid-Atlantic region of North America and Mediterranean Europe.

They also examined animal species introduced into these regions together with geographical, ecological and socioeconomic variables.

Laboratory experiments to determine the influence of temperature and salinity on the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) were also conducted.The CHAOS project will provide a sound scientific basis for determining the links between climate change and invasive species in aquatic ecosystems.

Outcomes will support the development of ecosystem management strategies and policies to help mitigate the problem.