MEDFISH · Causes and Consequences of Mediterranean Fish Invasions
FP7 — People (Marie Curie Actions)
- Duration
- 2013-09-01 → 2017-08-31
- EU contribution
- €100,000
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MC-CIG
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Causes and Consequences of Mediterranean Fish Invasions
My career integration grant started in September 2013 and focused on the effect of non-indigenous species on biodiversity in the Mediterranean. Results suggest that biotic resistance by indigenous species plays an important role in determining non-indigenous species establishment. Yet, over time, biotic resistance seems to be getting weaker which may hint at an invasion meltdown. Faced with an accelerating pace of invasion, this raises considerable concerns about the ability of the Eastern Mediterranean ecosystem to retain its original faunal characteristics. It appears that the Eastern Mediterranean is likely going to be transformed to an extension of the Red Sea in terms of species and trait composition. Nevertheless, the impact of these non-indigenous species on native species remains unclear and it appears that the main driver of change for indigenous species is climate warming. During the CIG grant I have published six papers related to this project. My research on this subject is assisted by a vibrant group, including 10 graduate students and a lab manager. The work performed by this group enabled me to gather preliminary data which greatly aided in receiving funding from five major granting agencies. In addition, I am involved in public outreach activities through Tel Aviv University and through the Israel Zoological Society. I have actively maintained my contacts abroad and established new collaborations in Europe and the USA. My academic file will is now strong enough to apply for tenure.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Species invasion is one of the prime threats to biodiversity, driving major changes in ecosystem structure and function. Identifying the traits associated with invasion has been largely restricted to comparing indigenous and invasive species or comparing invasive species that differ in abundance or impact. However, a more complete understanding may emerge when the entire pool of potentially invasive species is used as a control, information that is rarely available. Fish populations in the Mediterranean are faced with multiple stressors including overfishing, pollution, habitat loss and displacement by invasive species. The latter is of particular concern in the eastern Mediterranean where a large influx of Red Sea species has followed the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. These invasive species make up a large percentage of total fish biomass in this region. However, it is generally unknown how these species impact the ecology of indigenous species. In addition, it has proven challenging to identify the traits that enhance invasion success. The proposed research will focus on this unique 'natural experiment', in which almost the entire pool of potentially alien species is known, to understanding the causes of fish invasion and its consequences for indigenous species. This work will combine two complementary approaches to study species invasion, focusing both on the impact of invasive species in the Mediterranean and on the traits that lead to a successful invasion. This combination provides a powerful strategy for evaluating the underlying ecological mechanisms. This study links local experimental manipulations, coarse-grained data compilation and detailed state-of-the-art approaches for estimating life-history traits under a single conceptual framework. Results will provide critical information for the appreciation of the risks facing indigenous fish, information which is necessary for mitigation efforts.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY · Tel AvivCoordinatorIsrael
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union