Native Species

As human influences fragment native communities and ecosystems, remaining land must be better managed to conserve many elements of biodiversity. Much of this land is privately held, yet traditional private land-use management practices often further diminish biodiversity by promoting favored or edge-adapted species.

Restoration practice suggests that neighbor control is essential in semiarid grasslands, but ecological theory predicts that neighbor effects are relatively small in young fields. We investigated the effectiveness of neighbor control (mowing and herbicide) for establishing native grasses in a recently abandoned field in southwestern Saskatchewan, Canada. We also examined its interactions with common restoration techniques, such as mulching (straw and sawdust) and contrasting sowing methods (drilling, and broadcasting cleaned seeds, cleaning remainders, and native hay). The experiment was repeated over three years to examine the effect of weather. Neighbor control had no effect on establishment and rarely any effect on first-year survival. This contrasted with significant effects of neighbor control on community and ecosystem-level variables (species richness, water, N). The lack of neighbor effects is concordant with theory which predicts low competition intensity from ruderal annuals. Establishment in seeded plots varied two-fold among years in drilled plots and 50-fold in broadcast plots, and it was lowest during a cool, dry summer. Thus, variables beyond human control are a major factor determining restoration success. Overall, broadcasting was as effective as drilling. The highest long-term establishment of native species was produced by broadcasting cleaning remainders. Almost no seedlings emerged from plots supplied with native hay. Straw mulch increased soil moisture and available N, and sawdust decreased N, but neither had any long-term effect on native grasses. Our results suggest that restorations of semiarid old fields should focus less on neighbor control and more on strategies for exploiting suitable years for germination, either by monitoring soil moisture or through repeated seeding.

One of the primary tools for raising awareness on biological invasions has been the publication of species accounts of the most prominent alien invaders. Until now such compilations have been available only for particular taxa, biomes and/or regions (Cronk and Fuller 2001; Weber 2003; Weidema 2000). In Europe, species accounts for selected invasive species have been published for a few countries or

Habitat utilization of native young-ofthe-year (YOY) muskellunge, Esox masquinongy, was quantified by the type and density of vegetation present, water depth, and fish communities associated with their presence and abundance in nursery bays of the Upper St. Lawrence River. We completed 441 seine hauls and captured 400 YOY muskellunge in 11 bays that were sampled each July and August over a 3year period (2002)(2003)(2004). We hypothesized a change in habitat utilization related to increasing body size, as YOY muskellunge doubled in total length from July to August. Fine-leafed submerged and emergent macrophytes and prey availability (cyprinids, Notropis sp., banded killifish, Fundulus diaphanous and tessellated darter, Etheostoma olmstedi), were positively related to muskellunge use in July, while in August coverage of broad-leafed submerged macrophytes and increased overall vegetation density were the best habitat descriptor. In both months, muskellunge were associated with moderate (20-60%) vegetation coverage and density, however, captures were in areas of significantly greater vegetation coverage and density than was generally available. A negative relation of muskellunge occurrence with water depth, yellow perch, Perca flavescens, and stonewort, Chara vulgaris, was observed in both months. The negative relationship between muskellunge and depth, plus their strong linkages to nearshore submerged vegetation and forage fish that inhabit the nearshore areas, highlights the importance of protecting the ecological integrity of nearshore habitats. Our findings should assist managers in protecting native stocks, planning restoration and enhancement initiatives, and in regulating riparian and nearshore development.

Nonindigenous species are increasingly recognized as altering marine and estuarine communities, causing significant changes in abundance and distribution of native species. Such effects are of particular concern to coastal fisheries. We experimentally determined the effect of the nonindigenous European green crab, Carcinus maenas, upon the stepped venerid clam, Katelysia scalarina, the basis for a fledgling clam fishery in Tasmania, Australia. First, we observed a trend of decreased juvenile ( < 13-mm shell length or SL) abundance of K. scalarina at sites with C. maenas relative to those without this invasive predator. Additionally, relative predation intensity on these juveniles was significantly higher in invaded areas. To better understand the dynamics of predation by this invader, we conducted a number of manipulative experiments. In cage experiments testing per capita predation rates, we found that: (1) of the various sizes of C. maenas, large C. maenas were the most significant predators; (2) the smallest size class of K. scalarina tested (6 -12-mm SL) was preferred 0022-0981/02/$ -see front matter D 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PII: S 0 0 2 2 -0 9 8 1 ( 0 2 ) 0 0 1 2 7 -2 Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 272 (2002) 171 -189 by C. maenas;

Temporal trends in attributes of restored ecosystems have been described conceptually as restoration trajectories. Measures describing the maturity or ecological integrity of a restoration site are often assumed to follow monotonically increasing trajectories over time and to eventually reach an asymptote representative of a reference ecosystem. This assumption of simple, predictable restoration trajectories underpins federal and state policies in the United States that mandate wetland restoration as compensation for wetlands damaged during development. We evaluated the validity of this assumption by tracking changes in 11 indicators of floristic integrity, often used to determine legal compliance, in 29 mitigation wetlands. Each indicator was expressed as a percentile relative to the distribution of that indicator among .100 naturally occurring reference wetlands. Nonlinear regression was used to fit two alternative restoration trajectories to data from each site: an asymptotic (negative exponential) increase in the indicator over time and a peaked (double exponential) relationship. Depending on the particular indicator, between 48% and 76% of sites displayed trends that were at least moderately well described (R 2 . 0.5) by one of the two models. Floristic indicators based on species richness, including native richness, number of native genera, and the floristic quality index, rapidly increased to asymptotes exceeding levels in a majority of reference wetlands. In contrast, indicators based on species composition, including mean coefficient of conservatism and relative importance of perennial species, increased very slowly. Thus, some indicators of restoration progress followed increasing trajectories and achieved or surpassed levels equivalent to high-quality reference sites within five years, whereas others appeared destined to either not reach equivalency or to take much longer than mitigation wetlands are typically monitored. Finally, some indicators of restoration progress, such as relative importance of native species, often increased over the first five to 10 years and then declined, which would result in a misleading assessment of progress if based on typical time scales of monitoring. Therefore, the assumption of simple, rapid, and predictable restoration trajectories that underlies wetland mitigation policy is unrealistic.

ABSTRACT Native species of Sardinian brown trout (Salmo trutta) have declined drastically because of the introduction of non-native salmonids, overharvesting, and habitat degradation. One approach to conservation of declining species is to establish new populations through repopulation with genetically certified fish. In this study, samples of brown trout from seven rivers in Sardinia were analysed to look for the presence of pure individuals of the endemic Sardinian trout. Analyses of the mitochondrial DNA control ...

Tributaries of the Colorado River Basin, historically home to a complex of endemic omnivores collectively referred to as the 'three species'; flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis), bluehead sucker (C. discobolus) and roundtail chub (Gila robusta), have experienced the establishment of numerous non-native fish species. In this study, we examine the impacts of the trophic ecology of non-native fishes on the 'three species' in the San Rafael River, Utah, USA. We employ a suite of abundance comparisons, stable isotope techniques and size-at-age back-calculation analyses to compare food web structure and growth rates of the 'three species' in study areas with and without established populations of non-native species. We found that the 'three species' are more abundant in areas with few non-native fishes present, regardless of habitat complexity. Stable isotope analyses indicate non-native fishes lengthen the food chain by 0.5 trophic positions. Further, the trophic niche spaces of the native fishes shift and are narrower in the presence of non-native fishes, as several non-native species' trophic niche spaces overlap almost entirely with each of the 'three species' (bluehead sucker and flannelmouth sucker 100%, roundtail chub 98.5%) indicating strong potential for competition. However, the 'three species' demonstrated no evidence of reduced growth in the presence of these non-native fishes. Collectively, these results suggest that while non-native fishes alter the food web structure presenting novel sources of predation and competition, mechanisms other than competition are controlling the size-structure of 'three species' populations in the San Rafael River.

This paper presents the results of a questionnaire survey of the views of the road users about the scenic beauty of current roadside vegetation and their perceptions of roadside vegetation with improved scenic value. A majority (83%) of the 183 respondents described scenic quality of roadside vegetation as an important feature of roadside environment indicating awareness among the public about the landscape aspects of the roadside environment. The roadside vegetation was described by a majority of the respondents as unpleasant and drab. The respondents showed a positive attitude towards establishing a variety of vegetation types instead of a uniform seed mixture. Grass swards with flowering herbs near the road and trees further away was the most preferred combination of plant types for re-vegetation of road verges. They also showed a greater preference for the re-establishment of native species in the re-vegetation of roadside verges. However, they did not support higher expenditure on the improvement of scenic beauty of roadside vegetation that calls for introduction of cost-effective methods for re-vegetation and management of roadside verges.

Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea, L.) invasion of wetlands is an ecological issue that has received attention, but its impact on soil microbial diversity is not well documented. The present study assessed the size (substrate-induced respiration), catabolic diversity (CLPP, community level physiological profiles) and composition (selective inhibition) of the soil microbial community in invaded (>95% P. arundinacea cover) and in non-invaded areas of a wetland occupied by native species grown either as a mixed assemblage (22 species) or as quasi-monotypic stands of Scirpus cyperinus (74% cover). The study also tested the hypothesis that decomposition of ligninand phenolics-rich plant tissues would be fastest in soils exhibiting high catabolic diversity. Results showed that soil respiration, microbial biomass and diversity were significantly higher (P<0.03; 1.5 to 3 fold) in P. arundinacea-invaded soils than in soils supporting native plant species. Fungal to bacterial ratios were also higher in invaded (0.6) than in noninvaded (0.4) plots. Further, canonical discriminant analysis of CLPP data showed distinct communities of soil decomposers associated with each plant community. However, these differences in microbial attributes had no effect on decomposition of plant biomass which was primarily controlled by its chemical composition. While P. arundinacea invasion has substantially reduced plant diversity, this study found no parallel decline in the size and diversity of the soil microbial community in the invaded areas.

Report on Huron Mountain Club, published privately in 1938, represented a novel synthesis of emerging ideas in forestry, wildlife ecology, protected area design, and landscape-scale planning. Examination of this little-known report provides new insight into the evolution of Leopold's thinking and the development of applied conservation science. The report emerged at a time when insights from scientific ecology were beginning to alter utilitarian and preservationist approaches to conservation and resource management in North America. In his report Leopold integrated ideas from several disciplines, producing a plan that emphasized the establishment of core and buffer zones in protected areas, reduction of overabundant native species, relaxation of predator control policies, and integration of research in the management of protected areas.

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus uirginianus) can cause major changes in the composition and structure of forest communities by browsing shnibs and tree seedlings and grazing understory forbs. Such effects have become an increasingly pervasive management concern in protected natural areas and parks where conservation of native plant communities is a primary objective. The magnitude of these effects can vary widely according to variations in local deer numbers and availability of alternate food sources. We used measurements from 11 maple-basswood forest fragments in southcentral Minnesota to examine the predictability of deer grazing intensity on understory forbs based on local winter deer density, composition of the landscape surroundng each forest fragment, and characteristics of forb populations within the forest. In early summer, grazing intensity on 6 palatable forb species at most sites was inversely correlated with the availability of alfalfa within a 1.5-km radius of the stand (r 2 = 0.66); winter deer density and forb flowering rate within the stand were additional important predictors of grazing intensity. Later in the growing season, most variability in the intensity of grazing among forest fragments could be explained either by the availability of row crops, alfalfa, and fields within a 1.5-km radius of the stand (r2= 0.75) or by a combination of winter deer density and forb abundance within the stand (r 2 = 0.75).Results show that parks and preserves with low densities of palatable plant species in the forest understory may be especially susceptible to effects of deer grazing. Changes in landscape composition (e.g., increased row-cropping or conversion of land to residential developments) should be an important consideration in the management of deer densities in areas designed to protect native forest communities.

Many species of Western Australian Cyperaceae (sedges) are vital components of the indigenous flora but commonly display low seed set, poor seed quality and intractable seed dormancy. We report the effects of incubation temperature and in vitro growth media on whole seed germination compared with extracted zygotic embryo growth in Tetraria capillaris, T. octandra, Lepidosperma drummondii and L. tenue. No germination was observed from intact whole seeds of all test species regardless of the treatment evaluated. In contrast, excised zygotic embryos of all study species exhibited significant increases in growth when cultured at 15°C compared to embryos incubated at 25°C; however, optimal media for embryo growth were genera specific. Extracted embryos of T. capillaris and T. octandra exhibited maximum percentage growth (30 and 40%, respectively) at 15°C on MS medium with no plant growth regulators required. In the case of L. drummondii and L. tenue 1 lM thidiazuron was a necessary addition to the MS medium resulting in 40 and 77% growth of embryos (at 15°C), respectively. Incubation of extracted embryos at 25°C (regardless of medium treatment) resulted in \10% embryo growth for T. octandra and L. tenue, while the remaining two species (L. drummondii, T. capillaris) showed no embryo growth at 25°C on any medium treatment. Keywords Lepidosperma drummondii Á Lepidosperma tenue Á Temperature Á Tetraria capillaris Á Tetraria octandra Á Seed germination Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. TDZ Thidiazuron K Kinetin (6-furfurylaminopurine) BA 6-Benzylaminopurine MES 2-(N-morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid TTC Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride Ca(OCl) 2 Calcium hypochlorite

English broom (Cytisus scoparius) is an aggressive invasive shrub in native sclerophyll forests of South Australia. We studied its relative growth rate (RGR) and competitive ability in soils from invaded and uninvaded woodlands, in comparison to three native species it commonly displaces:Hakea rostrata, Acacia verniciflua, and A. myrtifolia. Hakea was the slowest growing species throughout the year. Both native species had their highest RGR during spring. The RGR of broom was higher than that of both hakea and acacia in the winter and spring. Despite losing its leaves in the summer, the RGR of broom through the year was higher than that of either of the native species. Soil from the invaded stands had higher organic C, N and soluble P than that from uninvaded sites. Broom and acacia grew better in the higher nutrient soil than in the lower nutrient soil. Competition did not decrease the final biomass of any of the species in low nutrient soil. In the higher nutrient soil the biomass of broom was reduced by competition with acacia, but not by competition with hakea. Competition by broom reduced the biomass of hakea but not that of acacia. Broom's earlier and higher RGR, high competitiveness in nutrient rich soils, and probably its ability to change nutrient availability could be important contributors to the mechanisms by which it invades native woodlands.

When nonnative species become established within new communities, competition may play a role in determining the persistence of ecologically similar native species. In western North America, many native cutthroat trout ( Oncorhynchus clarkii ) populations have been replaced by nonnative rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ). Superior competitive ability of rainbow trout and cutthroat–rainbow trout hybrids is often cited for this replacement; however, few studies have tested for mechanisms that might allow introduced rainbow trout to out-compete native trout species. Our previous work found individual-based differences in swimming and foraging ability among cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and their hybrids. In this study, we tested for the presence and strength of competition between cohorts of cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and their reciprocal hybrids. We assayed the growth rate of juvenile cutthroat trout in allopatry versus cutthroat trout when sympatric with rainbow trout and e...

Plant litter may play an important role in herbaceous plant communities by limiting primary production and influencing plant species richness. However, it is not known how the effect of litter interacts with fertilization. We tested for the role of litter and fertilization in a large-scale experiment to investigate effects on diversity and biomass of plant species, growth forms, native vs. non-native groups, and abiotic ecosystem components (e.g., soil moisture, PAR). We manipulated plant litter (removed vs. left in situ) and nutrient availability (NPK-fertilized vs. unfertilized) for 4 years in 314-m2 plots, replicated six times, in an old-field grassland. While many of our species-level results supported previously published studies and theory, our plant group results generally did not. Specifically, grass species richness and forb biomass was not affected by either fertilization or plant litter. Moreover, plant litter removal significantly increased non-native plant species richness. Relative to native plant species, all of our experimental manipulations significantly increased both the biomass and the species richness of non-native plant species. Thus, this grassland system was sensitive to management treatments through the facilitation of non-native plant species. We coupled biotic and abiotic components within a nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMS) analysis to investigate treatment effects, which revealed that specific treatments altered ecosystem development. These results suggest that fertilization and plant litter may have larger impacts on plant communities and on ecosystem properties than previously understood, underscoring the need for larger-scale and longer-term experiments.

In this chapter, we review empirical evidence for stronger allelopathic effects of exotic European invaders on North American natives than on other European species. We argue that this evidence provides critical insights into the impor- tance of coevolutionary relationships within plant communities. We discuss how the disruption of these and other biochemical coevolutionary relation- ships may lead to the success

Leaf area index (LAI) is one of the most frequently used parameters for the analysis of canopy structure and it has also been shown to be an important structural characteristic of the forest ecosystem and forest productivity. The objectives of this study were: (1) to calibrate optical estimates of PAI (plant area index) from the LAI-2000 using leaf area index derived from allometric models for six different tropical tree species and (2) to explore the corresponding relationship of calibrated LAI-2000 with stand productivity indices and environmental factors along a strong environmental gradient in the southern region of Costa Rica. From sixteen 6-year-old pure stand plantations (trees spaced 3 m  3 m) of four fast growing native species (Terminalia amazonia, Vochysia ferruginea, Vochysia guatemalensis and Hieronyma alchorneoides) and two introduced species (Pinus caribaea var hondurensis and Gmelina arborea), the plant area index (PAI) was estimated indirectly using the LAI-2000 plant canopy analyzer (LI-COR, Lincoln, NE), under cloudy sky conditions at a fixed height of 1.3 m above the ground with a 458 view cap. In addition, leaf area index (LAI) was estimated allometrically by felling four selected trees and measuring the area and biomass of leaves. The specific leaf area (SLA) showed typical values for each tree species that ranged between 81 cm 2 g À1 (V. ferruginea) and 106 cm 2 g À1 (G. arborea). Based on the characteristic SLA, for all tree species, the leaf area per tree could be estimated by allometric equations using the dbh (diameter at 1.3 m) as the independent variable. The calibration of the LAI-2000 PAI data versus the allometric estimate of leaf area showed strong and unbiased relationship for the species: T. amazonia, V. guatemalensis, H. alchorneoides and P. caribaea. In the case of G. arborea and V. ferruginea the LAI-2000 PAI values underestimated and overestimated the allometric measurements of LAI. For all tree species, calibrated LAI-2000 values were used as an independent variable in highly significant regression equations to estimate dominant tree height in each stand (in m) and stand yield in m 3 ha À1 year À1 , implying that calibrated LAI-2000 can be used to evaluate site quality and stand productivity. The generalized relationships for all species, between average calibrated LAI-2000 with stands yield or dominant tree height among four Eco-regions, indicated that as soil nutrient and water supply become optimal for tree growth, maximum LAI, dominant stand height and yield values are obtained.

We report the results of a 2-yr survey that determined some of the host plant and parasitoid associations of Anastrepha fruit ßies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in the "Montes Azules" tropical rainforest biosphere reserve (State of Chiapas, Mexico). We collected a total of 57.38 kg of fruit representing 47 native species from 23 plant families. Of these, 13 plant species from eight plant families were found to be native hosts of 9 species of Anastrepha. The following Anastrepha host associations were observed: Bellucia pentamera Naudin Melastomataceae) with A. coronilli Carrejo y González; Malmea gaumeri (Greenm.) Lundell (Annonaceae) with A. bahiensis Lima; Tabernamontana alba Mill. (Apocynaceae) with A. cordata Aldrich; Quararibea yunckeri Standl. (Bombacaceae) with A. crebra Stone; Ampelocera hottlei (Standl.) Standl. (Ulmaceae) with A. obliqua (Macquart) and A. fraterculus (Wiedemann); Zuelania guidonia Britton and Millsp. and Casearia tremula (Griseb.) Griseb. ex C. Wright (Flacourtaceae) with A. zuelaniae Stone; Psidium sartorianum (O. Berg.) Nied (Myrtaceae) with A. fraterculus; Psidium guajava L. and P. sartorianum (Myrtaceae) with A. striata Schiner; and Manilkara zapota (L.) Van Royen, Pouteria sp., Bumelia sebolana Lundell, and Calocarpum mammosum (L.) Pierre (Sapotaceae) with A. serpentina (Wiedemann). The following are new host plant records: Malmea gaumeri for A. bahiensis; Quararibea yunckeri for A. crebra; Ampelocera hottlei for A. fraterculus and A. obliqua; Bumelia sebolana for A. serpentina; and Casearia tremula for A. zuelaniae. A. coronilli is reported for the Þrst time in Mexico. Infestation levels were variable and ranged between 0 and 1.63 larvae/g of fruit depending on host species. Larvae of eight species of Anastrepha on nine plant species from six plant families were found to be parasitized by Doryctobracon areolatus Szepligeti, D. crawfordi Viereck, D. zeteki Musebeck (new report for Mexico and northernmost record for the species), Opius hirtus Fisher, Utetes anastrephae Viereck (all Hymenoptera: Braconidae), and Aganaspis pelleranoi Brethes (Hymenoptera: Figitidae)

Background: The invasion by Pinus elliottii is one of the most serious threats to the remaining native cerrado vegetation in São Paulo State, Brazil, causing biodiversity losses yet to be evaluated. We conducted a study in an area where P. elliottii began establishing in 1988. Aims: To estimate diversity losses in the plant community and to understand the floristic and structural changes resulting from pine tree invasion of grassland savannah. Methods: All plants taller than 50 cm were sampled in 35 plots (64 m2 each) within an area densely invaded by P. elliottii and in 10 plots in non-invaded grassland savannah. Density, species richness, diversity, ground cover and spatial distribution were compared by Wilcoxon tests, non-metric multidimensional scaling and Payandeh indices. Results: Twenty-two years after the arrival of the first invasive trees (founders), the grassland savannah has become a dense pine forest with 12,455 individuals ha−1, a basal area of 26.44 m2 ha−1, a sparse native woody understory comprised of 16 species (H' = 0.44), density of 1210 individuals ha−1 and the herbaceous layer totally absent. Conclusions: Invasion by Pinus elliottii has completely changed the structure of the grassland savannah and caused severe plant diversity losses. Native species surviving the invasion in the understory do not typically represent the previous composition and functional traits of the native vegetation.

The fern genus Dryopteris (Dryopteridaceae) is represented in the Hawaiian Islands by 18 endemic taxa and one non-endemic, native species. The goals of this study were to determine whether Dryopteris in Hawai’i is monophyletic and to infer the biogeographical origins of Hawaiian Dryopteris by determining the geographical distributions of their closest living relatives. We sequenced two chloroplast DNA fragments, rbcL and the trnL-F intergenic spacer (IGS), for 18 Hawaiian taxa, 45 non-Hawaiian taxa, and two outgroup species. For individual fragments, we estimated phylogenetic relationships using Bayesian inference and maximum parsimony. We performed a combined analysis of both cpDNA fragments employing Bayesian inference, maximum parsimony, and maximum likelihood. These analyses indicate that Hawaiian Dryopteris is not monophyletic, and that there were at least five separate colonizations of the Hawaiian Islands by different species of dryopteroid ferns, with most of the five groups having closest relatives in SE Asia. The results suggest that one colonizing ancestor, perhaps from SE Asia, gave rise to eight endemic taxa (the glabra group). Another colonizing ancestor, also possibly from SE Asia, gave rise to a group of five endemic taxa (the exindusiate group). Dryopteris fusco-atra and its two varieties, which are endemic to Hawai’i, most likely diversified from a SE Asian ancestor. The Hawaiian endemic Nothoperanema rubiginosum has its closest relatives in SE Asia, and while the remaining two species, D. wallichiana and D. subbipinnata, are sister species, their biogeographical origins could not be determined from these analyses due to the widespread distributions of D. wallichiana and its closest non-Hawaiian relative.

In this study, we compared the soil seed bank and current vegetation under coniferous plantations and adjacent native deciduous forests. The objective was to assess how much of the initial plant diversity is retained in such plantations, and the potential to restore this initial plant community from seed bank in case of reversion to broadleave stands. Four stands growing side by side and with different dominant species were selected at two locations (site of Haye: Quercus petraea, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies; site of La Petite-Pierre: Quercus petraea, Fagus sylvatica, Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies). In each stand, ground vegetation was surveyed and soil seed bank was sampled. Composition of ground flora and seed bank of stands were quite different: only 11 to 30 % of the species were in both the ground flora and the seed bank. Composition of the seed bank was mainly influenced by site location and sylvicultural practices such as the type of afforestation or the tree cover. Species richness of seed banks and vegetation were higher in the site of Haye than in the site of La Petite-Pierre. Seedling density strongly decreased with stand age. Whereas between 65 and 86 % of species found in the ground vegetation of native deciduous stand were also present in the understory or the seed bank of mature coniferous stands, this was only about 50 % in young coniferous stands. Species of deciduous stands which were absent from coniferous stands were typical of old forests. In contrast, species mainly found in the coniferous stands were often ruderal. In the studied areas, it would be possible to restore up to 86 % of the native deciduous forest vegetation, but some plant species typical of ancient forests may have disappeared during the coniferous stage.

Cladocerans have long been used for toxicological assessments of a diverse range of substances. The use of cladocerans in toxicity tests has many advantages, such as their short life cycle, parthenogenetic reproduction (clones), and high sensitivity to toxicants, as well as the easy laboratory maintenance of cultures. The most commonly used cladoceran in ecotoxicological studies of aquatic environments is undoubtedly Daphnia magna. Standard methods using cladocerans as test organisms have been documented and adopted by major international organizations and regulatory agencies of many countries. However, today there is a growing need for improving test organisms and protocols to better reflect local species sensitivity or site-specific conditions. The present study aimed to assess the tropical species Pseudosida ramosa as a potential test organism for ecotoxicological purposes, by carrying out standard acute tests with six reference compounds. Based on the results obtained in the present study and in comparison with other cladocerans, it was found that P. ramosa was more sensitive than Daphnia magna, had a sensitivity similar to that of Daphnia similis, and was less sensitive compared to Ceriodaphnia dubia and C. silvestrii (Neotropical species), except for the salts, sodium chloride and potassium chloride. Also, when P. ramosa was compared with test organisms of other taxonomic groups, we observed that it was more sensitive than most of the others, from simple coelenterates to complex fish. Considering these results and the wide distribution of the cladoceran P. ramosa in tropical and subtropical regions, we suggest that this species can be adopted as a test organism, being a good substitute for the exotic daphnid D. magna, for monitoring of toxicants in freshwaters.

Early growth performance of six native and two introduced tree species was studied for seven years at 16 sites in the Southern region of Costa Rica. Selected study sites represent a wide environmental gradient that ranges from acid low fertility soils such as Ustic Haplohumults and Typic Haplustults to fertile soils such as Typic Hapludand and Fluventic Eutropepts. Mean annual precipitation ranges from 2600 to 4500 mm and length of dry season from none to more than three months each year. The experimental layout was a randomized complete block design nested within four eco-regions, with all plots on private farms. The size of the experimental plot was 11 Â 11 trees planted at a spacing of 3 Â 3 m with a sampling plot of 7 Â 7 trees. The species included in the initial trials were: Pinus caribaea Morelet var hondurensis (Barret y Golfari) and Gmelina arborea Roxb as the introduced species (from Honduras and southeast Asian regions, both of which benefit from genetic selection), and Terminalia amazonia (J. F. Gmelin) Exell, Vochysia ferruginea Mart., Vochysia guatemalensis Donn. Sm., Hieronyma alchorneoides Fr. Allemao, Calophyllum brasiliense Cambess and Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) S. F. Blake (collected extensively in this project from indigenous populations from across the Southern region of Costa Rica). All plots were measured annually and data collected for tree height, DBH and mortality. Composited soil samples were taken at three depths in each site to characterize chemical and physical soil properties. In general, the native species were highly responsive to eco-regions, the introduced species much less so. The yield and dominant stand height of the introduced species were higher in acid soils with well defined dry season than the selected native species. As soil nutrient and water supply improved, the differences between introduced and native species decreased in mean stand height and yield. Two species (Calophyllum brasiliense and Schizolobium parabyba) had more than 80% mortality in almost all plots during the first two years of establishment. The results of this study contrasts with findings obtained in the Northern region of Costa Rica on acid Ultisols (Typic Tropohumult), where at least Vochysia guatemalensis and Vochysia ferruginea out-competed the best introduced species, Gmelina arborea and Pinus spp. Results are mainly attributed to the pronounced ustic moisture regime in the Southern region of Costa Rica that is able to be tolerated by Gmelina arborea and Pinus spp. but not by the selected native tree seedlings.

This study is one of the first to show that invasive plant-induced changes in the soil microbial community can negatively impact native plant performance. This greenhouse experiment tested whether soil microbial communities specific to the rhizospheres of an invasive grass (Aegilops triuncialis) and two native plants (Lasthenia californica and Plantago erecta) affected invasive and/or native plant performance. Each of these species were grown in separate pots for 2 months to prime the soils with plantspecific rhizosphere microbial communities. Each plant species was then planted in native-and invasive-primed soil, and effects on plant performance were monitored. At 5 months, differences in microbial biomarker fatty acids between invaded and native soils mirrored previous differences found in field-collected soil. L. californica performance was significantly reduced when grown in invaded soil compared to native soil (flowering date was delayed, aboveground biomass decreased, specific root length increased, and root mass ratio increased). In contrast, P. erecta and A. triuncialis performance were unaffected when grown in invaded vs native soil. These results suggest that in some cases, invasion-induced changes in the soil microbial community may contribute to a positive feedback loop, leading to the increased dominance of invasive species in an ecosystem.

Eradications of invasive species often have striking positive effects on native biota. However, recent research has shown that species removal in isolation can also result in unexpected changes to other ecosystem components. These secondary effects will become more likely as numbers of interacting invaders increase in ecosystems, and as exotics in late stages of invasion eliminate native species and replace their functional roles. Food web and functional role frameworks can be used to identify ecological conditions that forecast the potential for unwanted secondary impacts. Integration of eradication into a holistic process of assessment and restoration will help safeguard against accidental, adverse effects on native ecosystems.

Although some invasive plants are cosmopolitan, not all ecosystems are invaded to the same degree. Yet there is little experimental work on how ecosystem resistance to invasion at the establishment phase differs among ecosystems. We conducted two field sowing experiments in two consecutive years to examine establishment of the deciduous tree Ailanthus altissima , the succulent subshrub Carpobrotus spp. and the annual geophyte Oxalis pes-caprae in coastal dunes, shrublands and oldfields in more than 200 sites across six Mediterranean Basin islands differing in climatic conditions and local species richness. Establishment success (i.e. percentage of plots with at least one seedling) and rates (i.e. seedling to sown seed ratio) were low, especially for Ailanthus even when accounting for differences in seed viability. Oxalis was capable of producing a new cohort of seedlings the year following planting. By contrast, all Ailanthus seedlings and half the Carpobrotus seedlings died following the first summer. Differences in establishment success and rates among ecosystems were species-, island-and year-dependent. Differences in precipitation and mean temperature were associated with differences in establishment rates across sites. Establishment rates tended to be positively correlated with cumulative precipitation and negatively with mean T a. Unexpectedly, native species richness was not a good predictor of seedling establishment, except for higher Oxalis establishment success in species rich habitats. By conducting field sowing tests at multiple sites across a region we found that except for Oxalis , Mediterranean island ecosystems are quite resistant to invader establishment. These results suggest that differences in the degree of invasion between ecosystems and islands might be more dependent upon the influence of invasion event factors (e.g. propagule pressure) or factors acting at a later life-history stages rather than differences in the resistance imposed by ecosystems to invader recruitment. Moreover, our results support the notion that in Mediterranean ecosystems invasions are highly idiosyncratic events and strongly dependent on water availability conditions.

The tree Acacia dealbata Link is an Australian woody legume that has become a serious environmental problem in Northwest Spain, where its expansion is assumed to reduce populations of native species and threaten local plant biodiversity. In order to investigate the potential involvement of allelopathic mechanisms in this process, net photosynthetic and respiration rates of four test native understory species (Hedera hibernica (G. Kirchn.) Bean, Dicranum sp., Dactylis glomerata L. and Leucobryum sp.) were evaluated using a Clark-type electrode in the presence of canopy leachate collected under A. dealbata stands at four times of the year for 2 years and macerate from their apical branches at the same sites and times. The first two test species were present both inside and outside of A. dealbata stands, while the last two were only located outside the stands. We found that there were significant differences in respiration and net photosynthetic rates between the control and A. dealbata extracts in all test species. The respiration rate was increased by both canopy leachate and macerate extracts on certain collection dates, but net photosynthetic rate was stimulated by macerate and inhibited by canopy leachate on other dates. The main phenological stages of A. dealbata in which respiration and net photosynthetic rates were more affected were blossoming, inflorescence formation and in periods after severe drought, in this decreasing order. Our results also showed that Dicranum sp., Leucobryum sp. and D. glomerata were more affected by aqueous extracts than other species during a 2-year period. We suggest that the observed inhibitory or stimulatory effects on the physiological parameters studied could have an adverse effect on the understory species, and that allelopathic interference seems to participate in this process.

The use of fish communities to assess environmental quality is common for streams, but a standard methodology for large rivers is as yet largely undeveloped. We developed an index to assess the condition of fish assemblages along 1,580 km of the Ohio River. Representative samples of fish assemblages were collected from 709 Ohio River reaches, including 318 ''leastimpacted'' sites, from 1991 to 2001 by means of standardized nighttime boat-electrofishing techniques. We evaluated 55 candidate metrics based on attributes of fish assemblage structure and function to derive a multimetric index of river health. We examined the spatial (by river kilometer) and temporal variability of these metrics and assessed their responsiveness to anthropogenic disturbances, namely, effluents, turbidity, and highly embedded substrates. The resulting Ohio River Fish Index (ORFIn) comprises 13 metrics selected because they responded predictably to measures of human disturbance or reflected desirable features of the Ohio River. We retained two metrics (the number of intolerant species and the number of sucker species [family Catostomidae]) from Karr's original index of biotic integrity. Six metrics were modified from indices developed for the upper Ohio River (the number of native species; number of great-river species; number of centrarchid species; the number of deformities, eroded fins and barbels, lesions, and tumors; percent individuals as simple lithophils; and percent individuals as tolerant species). We also incorporated three trophic metrics (the percent of individuals as detritivores, invertivores, and piscivores), one metric based on catch per unit effort, and one metric based on the percent of individuals as nonindigenous fish species. The ORFIn declined significantly where anthropogenic effects on substrate and water quality were prevalent and was significantly lower in the first 500 m below point source discharges than at least-impacted sites nearby. Although additional research on the temporal stability of the metrics and index will likely enhance the reliability of the ORFIn, its incorporation into Ohio River assessments still represents an improvement over current physicochemical protocols.

Abstract: In Lake Nabugabo, Uganda, a small satellite of the equatorial Lake Victoria, approximately 50% of the indigenous fish species disappeared from the open waters subsequent to establishment of the introduced predatory Nile perch (   Lates niloticus ). However, several of these species persisted in wetland refugia. Over the past decade, Nile perch in Lake Nabugabo have been intensively fished. Herein we report a resurgence of some indigenous species in open waters. In a multiyear study, we used annual transects in inshore and offshore waters of exposed ( no wetland ) and wetland habitats to document the pattern of resurgence. In 1995, haplochromine cichlids were largely confined to inshore areas, particularly wetland ecotones, and were rare in Nile perch stomachs, as were most other indigenous species. By 2000 haplochromine cichlids were abundant in inshore and offshore areas of both exposed and wetland transects. Several indigenous noncichlids also reappeared in the main lake, including three of the four original mormyrid species. Between 1995 and 1999, there was a dramatic increase in the proportion of haplochromines in the diet of Nile perch. When haplochromines were rare ( 1995 ), Nile perch switched from an invertebrate-dominated diet to piscivory at a large size ( 30 cm total length ). In 2000, however, Nile perch were strongly piscivorous by 5–10 cm total length. The pattern of faunal loss and recovery in Lake Nabugabo demonstrates the importance of refugia in providing the seeds of resurgence and provides a model with which to understand some changes in Lake Victoria.Resumen: En el Lago Nabugabo, Uganda, un pequeño satélite del lago ecuatorial Victoria, el 50% de las especies indígenas de peces, aproximadamente, desaparecieron de aguas abiertas después del establecimiento de la perca del Nilo (   Lates niloticus ); una especie depredadora introducida. Sin embargo, varias de estas especies persistieron en refugios de humedales. En el transcurso de la última década la perca del Nilo en el lago Nabugabo ha sido pescada intensivamente. En este documento presentamos información sobre el resurgimiento de algunas especies indígenas en aguas abiertas. En un estudio, a lo largo de varios años, usamos transectos anuales en aguas cercanas a la orilla y en aguas abiertas de hábitats expuestos (no humedales) y hábitats de humedal para documentar el patrón de resurgimiento. En 1995, los cíclidos haplocróminos fueron en su mayoría confinados a las áreas cercanas a las orillas, especialmente ecotonos de humedal, y fueron raros en los estómagos de perca del Nilo, así como lo eran la mayoría de las otras especies nativas. Para el año 2000 los cíclidos haplocróminos fueron abundantes tanto en las áreas cercanas a las orillas como en aguas abiertas de transectos expuestos y humedales. Muchas especies no-cíclidos también reaparecieron en el lago principal, incluyendo tres de las cuatro especies de mormíridos. Entre 1995 y 1999, hubo un dramático aumento en la proporción de haplocróminos en la dieta de la perca del Nilo. Cuando los haplocróminos fueron raros ( 1995 ), la perca del Nilo cambió de una dieta dominada por invertebrados a una dieta fuertemente piscívora a un tamaño grande ( 30 cm de longitud total ). Sin embargo, en el año 2000, la perca del Nilo fue fuertemente piscívora entre los 5 y 10 cm de longitud total. El patrón de pérdida de fauna y recuperación del lago Nabugabo demuestra la importancia de refugios para proveer las semillas del resurgimiento y provee un modelo para entender algunos cambios en el Lago Victoria.Resumen: En el Lago Nabugabo, Uganda, un pequeño satélite del lago ecuatorial Victoria, el 50% de las especies indígenas de peces, aproximadamente, desaparecieron de aguas abiertas después del establecimiento de la perca del Nilo (   Lates niloticus ); una especie depredadora introducida. Sin embargo, varias de estas especies persistieron en refugios de humedales. En el transcurso de la última década la perca del Nilo en el lago Nabugabo ha sido pescada intensivamente. En este documento presentamos información sobre el resurgimiento de algunas especies indígenas en aguas abiertas. En un estudio, a lo largo de varios años, usamos transectos anuales en aguas cercanas a la orilla y en aguas abiertas de hábitats expuestos (no humedales) y hábitats de humedal para documentar el patrón de resurgimiento. En 1995, los cíclidos haplocróminos fueron en su mayoría confinados a las áreas cercanas a las orillas, especialmente ecotonos de humedal, y fueron raros en los estómagos de perca del Nilo, así como lo eran la mayoría de las otras especies nativas. Para el año 2000 los cíclidos haplocróminos fueron abundantes tanto en las áreas cercanas a las orillas como en aguas abiertas de transectos expuestos y humedales. Muchas especies no-cíclidos también reaparecieron en el lago principal, incluyendo tres de las cuatro especies de mormíridos. Entre 1995 y 1999, hubo un dramático aumento en la proporción de haplocróminos en la dieta de la perca del Nilo. Cuando los haplocróminos fueron raros ( 1995 ), la perca del Nilo cambió de una dieta dominada por invertebrados a una dieta fuertemente piscívora a un tamaño grande ( 30 cm de longitud total ). Sin embargo, en el año 2000, la perca del Nilo fue fuertemente piscívora entre los 5 y 10 cm de longitud total. El patrón de pérdida de fauna y recuperación del lago Nabugabo demuestra la importancia de refugios para proveer las semillas del resurgimiento y provee un modelo para entender algunos cambios en el Lago Victoria.

A literature survey identified 403 primary research publications that investigated the ecological effects of invasive alien insects and/or the mechanisms underlying these effects. The majority of these studies were published in the last 8 years and nearly two-thirds were carried out in North America. These publications concerned 72 invasive insect species, of which two ant species, Solenopsis invicta and Linepithema humile, accounted for 18% and 14% of the studies, respectively. Most publications investigated effects on native biodiversity at population or community level. Genetic effects and, to a lesser extent, effects on ecosystem services and processes were rarely explored. We review the effects caused by different insect invaders according to: their ecosystem roles, i.e. herbivores, predators, parasites, parasitoids and pollinators; the level of biological organisation at which they occur; and the direct and indirect mechanisms underlying these effects. The best documented effects occur in invasive ants, Eurasian forest herbivores invasive in North America, and honeybees. Impacts may occur through simple trophic interactions such as herbivory, predation or parasitism. Alien species may also affect native species and communities through more complex mechanisms such as competition for resources, disease transmission, apparent competition, or pollination disruption, among others. Finally, some invasive insects, particularly forest herbivores and ants, are known to affect ecosystem processes through cascading effects. We identify biases and gaps in our knowledge of ecological effects of invasive insects and suggest further opportunities for research.

Preliminary studies of flavonoids have been realised in five native species from Tafí del Valle (Tucumán, Argentina) used in popular medicine. Most of compounds detected were flavonoids mono and dihydroxylated in B ring. Screening for antimicrobial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative microorganisms has been realised with Lippia turbinata, Satureja par6ifolia, Sambucus peru6iana, Verbena officinalis and Chenopodium gra6eolens. The total extracts of flavonoids of each plant were tested and four species studied showed antimicrobial activity.

The complex interactions among endangered ecosystems, landowners’ interests, and different models of land tenure and use, constitute an important series of challenges for those seeking to maintain and restore biodiversity and augment the flow of ecosystem services. Over the past 10 years, we have developed a data-based approach to address these challenges and to achieve medium and large-scale ecological restoration

Of the four types of biological control, (1) natural, (2) conservation, (3) augmentation, and (4) importation), ethical concerns have been raised almost exclusively about only one type: importation. These concerns rest largely on fears of extinction of animal species. Importation biological control is a cost-effective alternative to chemical control for basic food crops of resource-poor farmers. Regarding the other types of biological control, natural biological control is not consciously manipulated by humans. Augmentation has some technical concerns, but is generally an environmentally-sound, viable alternative to chemicals and offers local employment. Conservation can help empower farmers to preserve native species, while saving labor and money and reducing chemical insecticides.

Desiccation tolerance in seeds of Prosopis ferox and Pterogyne nitens (Fabaceae). The high number of endemisms and species diversity together with the accelerated biodiversity loss by deforestation, especially in North Western Argentina, points out the need to work on species conservation combining ex situ and in situ strategies. The aim of this work was to study the desiccation tolerance in seeds of P. ferox and P. nitens for long term ex situ conservation at the Germplasm Bank of Native Species (BGEN) of the National University of Salta (Argentina). The fruits were collected from ten individuals in P. ferox at the National Park Los Cardones and from two sites (Orán and Rivadavia) for P. nitens. Desiccation tolerance was assessed following previous established methodologies. The moisture content (MC) of the seeds was determined by keeping them in oven at 103°C and weighting the samples at different intervals till constant weight. Germination essays were carried out with two treatments (control and scarification), with different seed MC (fresh, 10-12%, 3-5%) and in desiccated seeds (3-5% MC) stored six months at -20ºC. The MC in P. ferox seeds was 14.2% and 10% in P. nitens, for both populations studied. Percentage germination in P. ferox was higher in the scarification treatments (<82%). The difference between treatments increased with the reduction in MC and the storage for six months at -20°C. Fresh seeds of P. nitens do not need scarification treatment, but it is required with the reduction in MC and storage. Mean germination percentage of desiccated seeds stored six months at -20°C was similar in both populations and greater than 82%.We concluded that both species are probably orthodox because seeds tolerated desiccation to 3-5% and storage for six months at -20°C. Rev. Biol. Trop. 61 (1): 335-342. Epub 2013 March 01.

The influences on forest stream invertebrate communities of riparian forest type (native/exotic Pinus radiata) and logging, with or without native forest riparian buffers, were investigated at 28 stream sites on Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand. Stream reaches were surveyed under summer, baseflow conditions in six riparian/forest vegetation types: native forest, mature pine plantations with pines planted to the stream edge, mature pine plantations with native forest in the riparian area, clearcut pine plantations, and logged pine plantations with patch buffers of native forest vegetation (upstream areas clearcut) or continuous buffers along the perennially flowing stream length. Multivariate analyses showed that clearcut reaches differed in invertebrate community structure from pine and native forested reaches, and from logged reaches with continuous riparian buffers. Communities at patch buffer sites were intermediate between these groups. Amongst the common taxa, mayflies were the most sensitive to clearcut logging, with three species less abundant at clear-cut and/or patch buffer sites; only the algalpiercing caddis Oxyethira albiceps (Hydroptilidae) responded positively to logging. Clearcut reaches had lowest diversity, taxon richness, relative abundance and numbers of the sensitive mayfly, stonefly and caddisfly taxa, and index of biotic integrity. In contrast, sites that had been logged leaving continuous buffers did not differ in these biometrics from those in intact native or mature plantation forest, indicating that buffers greatly reduced disturbance associated with logging. Logged sites with patch buffers had biometric values intermediate between clearcut and forested/continuous buffered reaches, indicating less protection from logging impact. Correlation and multiple regression analyses showed that logging impacts are strongly related to increases in periphyton biomass and water temperature, associated with changes in stream lighting, and increased channel instability/fine sediment. The findings indicate that late-rotation exotic pine plantations can support very similar stream invertebrate communities to native forests, and highlight the benefit of retaining forested buffers along stream riparian areas to avoid harvesting impacts on stream habitat and invertebrate communities. #

The aim of this study is to examine the impact of mans interventions on the present day distribution of fish in a mountain area in southern Norway, the Atna river system. River Atna originates in the Rondane mountains at altitudes of nearly 1600 m a.s.l., and joins River Glomma at 300 m a.s.l. There are 98 lakes in the watercourse

Nesting substrates and construction materials are compared for 65 of North Amer-icaÕs 139 described native species of Osmia bees. Most accounts report Osmia bees nesting in preexisting cavities in dead wood or pithy stems such as elderberry (Sambucus spp.), with cell partitions and plugs made from a pulp of Þnely masticated leaf tissue. Mud is widely used by species constructing free-form clumps of nest cells against stone surfaces. Some Osmia bees adopt abandoned nests of other Hymenoptera, particularly those of mud dauber wasps (Sceliphron spp.) and larger ground-nesting bees (e.g., Anthophora spp.). Reports of subterranean nesting by Osmia species are uncommon but possibly under-represent the habit, because subterranean nests are obscure and likely to be scattered. Ground-or surface-nesting habits are suspected for species that are absent from intensive trap-nesting programs in their native ranges but that otherwise have been commonly taken at ßowers. The range of nesting habits and materials of European species are largely comparable, although records indicate that far more European species may nest in empty snail shells.

El presente documento ha sido elaborado por el Instituto Machu Picchu, a solicitud de Explorandes S.A.C., con la coordinación del trabajo de campo auspiciado por APTAE (Asociación Peruana de Turismo de Aventura y Ecoturismo), movidos por el compromiso con el ambiente y la protección de los recursos naturales y culturales del Santuario

The insecticidal activity of nine essential oils (EOs) against the house fly (Musca domestica) was evaluated by placing flies in a screw-cap glass jar holding a piece of EO-treated cotton yarn. The dose necessary to kill 50% of flies (LC 50 ) in 30 min was determined at 26± 1°C. The EOs showed LC 50 values ranging from 0.5 to 46.9 mg/dm 3 . The EO from Minthostachys verticillata was the most potent insecticide (LC 50 =0.5 mg/dm 3 ) followed by EOs from Hedeoma multiflora (LC 50 =1.3 mg/dm 3 ) and Artemisia annua (LC 50 =6.5 mg/dm 3 ). The compositions of the nine EOs, obtained by hydrodistillation of medicinal herbs, were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. These analyses showed that (4R)(+)-pulegone (69.70%), menthone (12.17%), and limonene (2.75%) were the principal components of M. verticillata EO. (4R)(+)pulegone was also the main constituent (52.80%) of H. multiflora, while artemisia ketone (22.36%) and 1,8-cineole (16.67%) were the major constituents of A. annua EO. The terpene (4R)(+)-pulegone showed a lower toxicity (LC 50 = 1.7 mg/dm 3 ) than M. verticillata or H. multiflora EOs. Dimethyl 2,2-dichlorovinyl phosphate, selected as a positive control, showed an LC 50 of 0.5 mg/dm 3 . EOs from M. verticillata and H. multiflora show promise as natural insecticides against houseflies.

We found all developmental stages of the midge Telmatogeton japonicus (Chironomidae) on offshore windmills near the major Swedish seaport Kalmar in the southern Baltic Sea. This might be the first record of an insect species really inhabiting the offshore areas of the Baltic Sea. A thorough analysis of previous findings of the species, its history in Europe and its ecology indicates that T. japonicus quite likely is an alien species in Europe introduced from the Pacific Ocean. Shipping is probably the vector, as all records in the Baltic Sea and several from the Eastern Atlantic Sea are near major seaports. Our analysis further suggests that T. japonicus might be both advantageous and disadvantageous to native species in the Baltic Sea. T. japonicus should be kept under observation within monitoring programmes as it might expand its distribution as a result of the construction of new windmills in the Baltic Sea and elsewhere in European marine and brackish water habitats.