Non-indigenous species in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea
Non-indigenous species in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea

Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published: 2021-07-29

Total Pages: 106

ISBN-13: 9251347751

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Recent decades have seen significant changes in the biota of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea due to the introduction of non-indigenous species. Reliable scientific data on the dynamics of their distribution and abundance are essential to understand their ecological and economic effects. This review – in addition to providing images and descriptions of relevant species to aid in identification – presents a unique historical and regional perspective on these species’ impacts, based on many years’ worth of research. The Black Sea’s primary invaders come from the Mediterranean. Species like the comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi have caused major declines in biodiversity in the region by crippling key segments of the food chain. Similar results have been noted in the Marmara Sea, a crucial water exchange point located between the Aegean Sea and the Black Sea. Infiltration into the Mediterranean comes from both the east and west – with Lessepsian species passing through the Suez Canal and fish and invertebrate species originating from the Atlantic expanding their ranges. As of the publication of this review, over 900 non-indigenous species have been reported in the Mediterranean and almost 300 in the Black Sea, with these numbers expected to rise in the future. Numerous Lessepsian fishes are commercially relevant and have been absorbed into local markets, particularly in the eastern Mediterranean region. While these species are targeted through various fishing techniques, many others are simply discarded due to a lack of value and there are even some, such as lionfishes, pufferfishes and several species of jellyfishes, that present immediate dangers to human health. Stewardship of native species, regional cooperation on the enforcement of legal measures, increased public awareness and the creation of marine protected areas are thus essential to minimize and reduce the impacts of non-indigenous species both in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

Invasive Aquatic Species of Europe. Distribution, Impacts and Management
Invasive Aquatic Species of Europe. Distribution, Impacts and Management

Author: Erkki Leppäkoski

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2002-08-31

Total Pages: 604

ISBN-13: 9781402008375

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This book is the first attempt to provide an overall picture of aquatic species invasions in Europe. Its geographical scope stretches from Irish waters in the west to the Volga River and the Caspian Sea in the east, and from the Mediterranean Sea in the south up to the Arctic coast of Europe. Not all parts of the continent could be covered equally, as in some countries species invasions are not yet studied. The book represents the array of all major European aquatic systems in the broadest geographical and ecological scope possible, from fully saline seas, semi-enclosed brackish water bodies and coastal lagoons to freshwater lakes, major river systems and waterways. The key objectives include the present status and impacts on economy and environment caused by non-native aquatic species in European waters. Altogether more than 100 scientists from 24 countries have joined together to synthesize the available information on bio-invasions.

Biological Invasions in South Africa
Biological Invasions in South Africa

Author: Brian W. van Wilgen

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2020-03-10

Total Pages: 972

ISBN-13: 3030323943

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This open access volume presents a comprehensive account of all aspects of biological invasions in South Africa, where research has been conducted over more than three decades, and where bold initiatives have been implemented in attempts to control invasions and to reduce their ecological, economic and social effects. It covers a broad range of themes, including history, policy development and implementation, the status of invasions of animals and plants in terrestrial, marine and freshwater environments, the development of a robust ecological theory around biological invasions, the effectiveness of management interventions, and scenarios for the future. The South African situation stands out because of the remarkable diversity of the country, and the wide range of problems encountered in its varied ecosystems, which has resulted in a disproportionate investment into both research and management. The South African experience holds many lessons for other parts of the world, and this book should be of immense value to researchers, students, managers, and policy-makers who deal with biological invasions and ecosystem management and conservation in most other regions.

The Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea

Author: Stefano Goffredo

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-09-09

Total Pages: 673

ISBN-13: 9400767048

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This volume is an indispensable addition to the multidisciplinary coverage of the science of the Mediterranean Sea. The editors have gathered leading authorities from the fields of Marine Biology, Ecology, paleoclimatology, Chemical and Physical Oceanography, Zoology, Botany, Aquatic Photosynthesis, Socioeconomics, Mariculture, Mediterranean History and Science of Humanity. Beginning with the birth of the Mediterranean Sea and its myths. From coral to fish, an introduction is given to its major inhabitants of plants and animals past and present. The chapters illustrate how organisms interact as part of the structure and function of the Sea's main ecosystems. The rise of the Mediterranean as the cradle of the Western Civilization leads to a discourse on the status of human interaction with the sea. Accelerating global climate change, water warming, ocean acidification and sea level rise, and analyses of their effects on key organisms, entire ecosystems and human socioeconomics are given. Forecasting and predictions are presented taking into account different future scenarios from the IPCC (International Panel on Climate Change). The volume is richly illustrated in color, with an extensive bibliography. A valuable addition to the limited literature in the field, offering up-to-date broad coverage merging science and humanities.​

Stemming the Tide
Stemming the Tide

Author: Committee on Ships'Ballast Operations

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 1996-11-05

Total Pages: 158

ISBN-13: 0309589320

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The European zebra mussel in the Great Lakes, a toxic Japanese dinoflagellate transferred to Australia--such biologically and economically harmful stowaways have made it imperative to achieve better management of ballast water in ocean-going vessels. Stemming the Tide examines the introduction of nonindigenous species through ballast water discharge. Ballast is any solid or liquid that is taken aboard ship to achieve more controlled and safer operation. This expert volume Assesses current national and international approaches to the problem and makes recommendations for U.S. government agencies, the U.S. maritime industry, and the member states of the International Maritime Organization. Appraises technologies for controlling the transfer of organisms--biocides, filtration, heat treatment, and others --with a view toward developing the most promising methods for shipboard demonstration. Evaluates methods for monitoring the effectiveness of ballast water management in removing unwanted organisms. The book addresses the constraints inherent in ballast water management, notably shipboard ballast treatment and monitoring. Also, the committee outlines efforts to set an acceptable level of risk for species introduction using the techniques of risk analysis. Stemming the Tide will be important to all stakeholders in the issue of unwanted species introduction through ballast discharge: policymakers, port authorities, shippers, ship operators, suppliers to the maritime industry, marine biologists, marine engineers, and environmentalists.

YOUMARES 8 – Oceans Across Boundaries: Learning from each other
YOUMARES 8 – Oceans Across Boundaries: Learning from each other

Author: Simon Jungblut

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2018-08-29

Total Pages: 259

ISBN-13: 3319932845

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This open access book presents the proceedings volume of the YOUMARES 8 conference, which took place in Kiel, Germany, in September 2017, supported by the German Association for Marine Sciences (DGM). The YOUMARES conference series is entirely bottom-up organized by and for YOUng MARine RESearchers. Qualified early career scientists moderated the scientific sessions during the conference and provided literature reviews on aspects of their research field. These reviews and the presenters’ conference abstracts are compiled here. Thus, this book discusses highly topical fields of marine research and aims to act as a source of knowledge and inspiration for further reading and research.

Biological Invasions in Marine Ecosystems
Biological Invasions in Marine Ecosystems

Author: Gil Rilov

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-11-12

Total Pages: 642

ISBN-13: 354079235X

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Biological invasions are considered to be one of the greatest threats to the integrity of most ecosystems on earth. This volume explores the current state of marine bioinvasions, which have been growing at an exponential rate over recent decades. Focusing on the ecological aspects of biological invasions, it elucidates the different stages of an invasion process, starting with uptake and transport, through inoculation, establishment and finally integration into new ecosystems. Basic ecological concepts - all in the context of bioinvasions - are covered, such as propagule pressure, species interactions, phenotypic plasticity, and the importance of biodiversity. The authors approach bioinvasions as hazards to the integrity of natural communities, but also as a tool for better understanding fundamental ecological processes. Important aspects of managing marine bioinvasions are also discussed, as are many informative case studies from around the world.

Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles of the Mediterranean and Black Seas
Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles of the Mediterranean and Black Seas

Author:

Publisher: IUCN

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 36

ISBN-13: 2831714788

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Presents information on the conservation status of the marine mammals and sea turtles that inhabit the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Each species has previously been classified by IUCN at global level and here we present the first results of the regional assessment for those cetacean species resident in the Mediterranean Sea. It also focuses on the main threats that affect their survival and growth and makes recommendations to better preserve them. It presents brief details on resident species (those recorded all year round and breeding in the region), visitor species (scarcer but occurring regularly every year) and vagrant species (rare and unexpected ones that do not occur annually). This booklet also summarizes the current global status of visitor and vagrant cetaceans in the Mediterranean and the status of the endemic cetacean species in the Black Sea, the conservation status of the only Mediterranean seal species, and the latest information available on marine turtles. -- Publisher.