Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Biological Invasions

Insights from Marine Benthic Communities

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Marine Hard Bottom Communities

Part of the book series: Ecological Studies ((ECOLSTUD,volume 206))

Abstract

Biological invasions can have powerful effects on ecosystem structure and function and are seen as a threat to global biodiversity. Coastal systems are especially vulnerable, and we review the characteristics of invasions in marine benthic communities, beginning with the factors influencing initial introduction: vectors and propagule pressure. Invasive species have few characteristics in common, and their ease of establishment in an area does not correlate with the strength of their effects on the recipient community. We then examine what makes communities vulnerable, including disturbance and responses such as biotic resistance and facilitation. Community diversity and vulnerability do not appear to be related; instead, invasions appear idiosyncratic and the effects of diversity are identity-specific. Lastly, we describe the often dramatic effects of invasions, including those of introduced ecosystem engineers and subtle effects such as niche drift and genetic responses, but note that there is little evidence of invasives causing indigenous extinctions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 219.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abelló P, Hispano C (2006) The capture of the Indo-Pacific crab Charybdis feriata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Brachyura: Portunidae) in the Mediterranean Sea. Aquat Invasions 1:13–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arenas F, Sánchez I, Hawkins SJ, Jenkins SR (2006) The invasibility of marine algal assemblages: role of functional diversity and identity. Ecology 87:2851–2861

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bax N, Williamson A, Aguero M, Gonzalez E, Geeves W (2003) Marine invasive alien species: a threat to global biodiversity. Mar Policy 27:313–323

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Branch GM, Steffani CN (2004) Can we predict the effects of alien species? A case-study of the invasion of South Africa by Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck). J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 31:189–215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briggs JC (2007) Marine biogeography and ecology: invasions and introductions. J Biogeogr 34:193–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Britton-Simmons KH (2006) Functional group diversity, resource pre-emption and the genesis of invasion resistance in a community of marine algae. Oikos 113:395–401

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brousseau DJ, Goldberg R (2007) Effect of predation by the invasive crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus on recruiting barnacles Semibalanus balanoides in western Long Island Sound, USA. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 339:221–228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown JH, Sax DF (2005) Biological invasions and scientific objectivity: Reply to Cassey et al. (2005). Austral Ecol 30:481–483

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buschbaum C, Chapman AS, Saier B (2006) How an introduced seaweed can affect epibiota diversity in different coastal systems. Mar Biol 148:743–754

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Byrnes JE, Reynolds PL, Stachowicz JJ (2007) Invasions and extinctions reshape coastal marine food webs. Plos ONE 2:e295

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carlton JT (1996) Pattern, process and prediction in marine invasion ecology. Biol Conserv 78:97–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carlton JT (1999) The scale and ecological consequences of biological invasions in the world’s oceans. In: Sandlund OT, Schei PJ, Viken A (eds) Invasive species and biodiversity management. Kluwer, Dordrecht, pp 195–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlton JT, Geller JB (1993) Ecological roulette: the global transport of nonindigenous marine organisms. Science 261:78–82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cassey P, Blackburn TM, Duncan RP, Chown SL (2005) Concerning invasive species: Reply to Brown and Sax. Austral Ecol 30:475–480

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ceccherelli G, Piazzi L, Balata D (2002) Spread of introduced Caulerpa species in macroalgal habitats. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 280:1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Colautti RI, Grigorovich IA, MacIsaac HJ (2006) Propagule pressure: a null model for biological invasions. Biol Invasions 8:1023–1037

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daguin C, Borsa P (2000) Genetic relationships of Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck populations worldwide: evidence from nuclear-DNA markers. Geol Soc Lond Spec Publ 177:389–397

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeRivera CE, Ruiz G, Hines A, Jivoff P (2005) Biotic resistance to invasion: native predator limits abundance and distribution of an introduced crab. Ecology 86(12):3364–3376

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dukes JS, Mooney HA (2004) Disruption of ecosystem processes in western North America invasive species. Rev Chilena Hist Nat 77:411–437

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunstan PK, Johnson CR (2004) Invasion rates increase with species richness in a marine epibenthic community by two mechanisms. Oecologia 138:285–292

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eastwood MM, Donahue MJ, Fowler AE (2006) Reconstructing past biological invasions: niche shifts in response to invasive predators and competitors. Biol Invasions 9:397–407

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elton CS (1958) The ecology of invasions by animals and plants. Methuen, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Fofonoff PW, Ruiz GM, Steves B, Carlton JT (2003) In ships or on ships? Mechanisms of transfer and invasion for nonnative species to the coasts of North America. In: Ruiz GM, Carlton JT (eds) Invasive species: vectors and management strategies. Island Press, Washington, DC, pp 152–182

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman AS, Byers JE (2006) Divergent induced responses to an invasive predator in marine mussel populations. Science 313:831–833

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fridley JD, Stachowicz JJ, Naeem S, Sax DF, Seabloom EW, Smith MD, Stohlgren TJ, Tilman D, Von Holle B (2007) The invasion paradox: reconciling pattern and process in species invasions. Ecology 88:3–17

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Galil BS (2000) A sea under siege—alien species in the Mediterranean. Biol Invasions 2:177–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Galil BS (2007) Loss or gain? Invasive aliens and biodiversity in the Mediterranean Sea. Mar Pollut Bull 55:314–322

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goren M, Galil BS (2005) A review of changes in the fish assemblages of Levantine inland and marine ecosystems following the introduction of non-native fishes. J Appl Ichthyol 21:364–370

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grosholz E (2002) Ecological and evolutionary consequences of coastal invasions. Trends Ecol Evol 17:22–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grosholz ED (2005) Recent biological invasion may hasten invasional meltdown by accelerating historical introductions. Proc Natl Acad Sci 102:1088–1091

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grosholz ED, Ruiz GM (1996) Predicting the impact of introduced marine species: lesson from multiple invasion of the European green crab Carcinus maenas. Biol Conserv 78:59–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gurevitch J, Padilla DK (2004) Are invasive species a major cause of extinctions? Trends Ecol Evol 19:470–474

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harding JM (2003) Predation by blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, on rapa whelks, Rapana venosa: possible natural controls for an invasive species? J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 297:161–178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hollebone AL, Hay ME (2007) Propagule pressure of an invasive crab overwhelms native biotic resistance. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 342:191–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaufman L (1992) Catastrophic change in species-rich freshwater ecosystems: the lessons of Lake Victoria. BioScience 42:846–858

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kideys AE, Niermann U (1994) Occurrence of Mnemiopsis along the Turkish coast. ICES J Mar Sci 51:423–427

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klein J, Ruitton S, Verlaque M, Boudouresque CF (2005) Species introductions, diversity and disturbances in marine macrophyte assemblages of the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 290:79–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levine JM, D’Antonio CM (1999) Elton revisited: a review of evidence linking diversity and invasibility. Oikos 87:15–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lockwood JL, Cassey P, Blackburn T (2005) The role of propagule pressure in explaining species invasions. Trends Ecol Evol 20:223–228

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mack RN, Simberloff D, Lonsdale WM, Evans H, Clout M, Bazzaz F (2000) Biotic invasions: causes, epidemiology, global consequences, and control. Ecol Appl 10:689–710

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meiners SJ, Cadenasso ML, Pickett STA (2004) Beyond biodiversity: individualistic controls of invasion in a self-assembled community. Ecol Lett 7:121–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Minchin D (2007) Aquaculture and transport in a changing environment: overlap and links in the spread of alien biota. Mar Pollut Bull 55:302–313

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Noonburg EG, Byers JE (2005) More harm than good: when invader vulnerability to predators enhances impact on native species. Ecology 86:2555–2560

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nyberg CD, Wallentinus I (2005) Can species traits be used to predict marine macroalgal introductions? Biol Invasions 7:265–279

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Occhipinti-Ambrogi A, Sheppard C (2007) Marine bioinvasions: a collection of reviews. Mar Pollut Bull 55:299–301

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Paglianti A, Gherardi F (2004) Combined effects of temperature and diet on growth and survival of young-of-year crayfish: a comparison between indigenous and invasive species. J Crust Biol 24:140–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Por FD (1971) One hundred years of Suez Canal—a century of Lessepsian migration. Syst Zool 20:138–159

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reise K, Olenin S, Thieltges DW (2006a) Editorial. Helgoland Mar Res 60:75–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reise K, Olenin S, Thieltges DW (2006b) Are aliens threatening European aquatic coastal ecosystems? Helgoland Mar Res 60:77–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reusch TBH, Williams SL (1999) Macrophyte canopy structure and the success of an invasive marine bivalve. Oikos 84:398–419

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ricciardi A, Atkinson SK (2004) Distinctiveness magnifies the impact of biological invaders in aquatic ecosystems. Ecol Lett 7:781–784

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ricciardi A, Cohen J (2007) The invasiveness of an introduced species does not predict its impact. Biol Invasions 9:309–315

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rius M, McQuaid CD (2006) Wave action and competitive interaction between the invasive mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and the indigenous Perna perna in South Africa. Mar Biol 150:69–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez LF (2006) Can invasive species facilitate native species? Evidence of how, when, and why these impacts occur. Biol Invasions 8:927–939

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roman J (2006) Diluting the founder effect: cryptic invasions expand a marine invader’s range. Proc R Soc B 273:2453–2459

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roy K, Jalonski D, Valentine JW (2002) Body size and invasion success in marine bivalves. Ecol Lett 5:163–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruesink JL (2007) Biotic resistance and facilitation of a non-native oyster on rocky shores. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 331:1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruiz GM, Carlton JT (2003) Invasion vectors: a conceptual framework for management. In: Ruiz GM, Carlton JT (eds) Invasive species: vectors and management strategies. Island Press, Washington, DC, pp 459–504

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruiz GM, Carlton JT, Grosholz ED, Hines AH (1997) Global invasions of marine and estuarine habitats by non-indigenous species: mechanisms, extent, and consequences. Am Zool 37:621–632

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruiz GM, Fofonoff PW, Carlton JT, Wonham MJ, Hines AH (2000) Invasion of coastal marine communities in North America: apparent patterns, processes, and biases. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 31:481–531

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez I, Fernández C (2006) Resource availability and invasibility in an intertidal macroalgal assemblage. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 313:85–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shea S, Chesson P (2002) Community ecology theory as a framework for biological invasions. Trends Ecol Evol 17:170–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siddon CE, Witman JD (2004) Behavioural indirect interactions: multiple predator effects and prey switching in the rocky subtidal. Ecology 85:2938–2945

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simberloff D (2006) Invasional meltdown 6 years later: important phenomenon, unfortunate metaphor, or both? Ecol Lett 9:912–919

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Simberloff D, Von Holle B (1999) Positive interactions of nonindigenous species: invasional meltdown. Biol Invasions 1:21–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stachowicz JJ, Tilman D (2005) Species invasions and the relationships between species diversity, community saturation, and ecosystem functioning. Community saturation, diversity, and ecosystem functioning. In: Sax DF, Stachowicz JJ, Gaines SD (eds) Species invasions. Insights into ecology, evolution and biogeography. Sinauer, Sunderland, MA, pp 42–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Stachowicz JJ, Whitlatch RB, Osman RW (1999) Species diversity and invasion resistance in a marine ecosystem. Science 286:1577–1579

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stachowicz JJ, Fried H, Whitlatch RB, Osman RW (2002) Biodiversity, invasion resistance and marine ecosystem function: reconciling pattern and process. Ecology 83:2575–2590

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stohlgren TL, Binkley D, Chong GW, Kalhan MA, Schell LD, Bull KA, Otsuki Y, Newman G, Bashkin M, Son Y (1999) Exotic plant species invade hot spots of native plant diversity. Ecol Monogr 69:25–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Streftaris N, Zenetos A, Papathanassiou E (2005) Globalisation in marine ecosystems: the story of non-indigenous marine species across European Seas. Oceanogr Mar Biol Annu Rev 43:419–453

    Google Scholar 

  • Valentine JP, Johnson CR (2003) Establishment of the introduced kelp Undaria pinnatifida in Tasmania depends on disturbance to native algal assemblages. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 295:63–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vermeij GJ (1991) Anatomy of an invasion: the trans-Arctic interchange. Paleobiology 17:281–307

    Google Scholar 

  • Vermeij GJ (1996) An agenda for invasion biology. Biol Conserv 78:3–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vitousek PM, D’Antonio CM, Loope LLz, Rejmanek M, Westbrook R (1997) Introduced species: a significant component of human-induced global change. N Z J Ecol 21:1–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Voisin M, Engel CR, Viard F (2005) Differential shuffling of native genetic diversity across introduced regions in a brown alga: aquaculture vs. maritime traffic effects. Proc Natl Acad Sci 102:5432–5437

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wallentinus I, Nyberg CD (2007) Introduced marine organisms as habitat modifiers. Mar Pollut Bull 55:323–332

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wardle DA (2001) Experimental demonstration that plant diversity reduces invasibility-evidence of a biological mechanism or a consequence of sampling effect. Oikos 95:161–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wasson K, Fenn K, Pearse JS (2005) Habitat differences in marine invasions of central California. Biol Invasions 7:935–948

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williamson MH, Brown KC (1986) The analysis and modelling of British invasions. Philos Trans R Soc B 314:505–522

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williamson M, Fritter A (1996) The varying success of invasions. Ecology 77:1661–1666

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wonham MJ, Carlton JT, Ruiz GM, Smith LD (2000) Fish and ships: relating dispersal frequency to success in biological invasions. Mar Biol 136:1111–1121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zardi GI, Nicastro KR, McQuaid CD, Rius M, Porri F (2006) Hydrodynamic stress as a determinant factor in habitat segregation between the indigenous mussel Perna perna and the invasive Mytilus galloprovincialis in South Africa. Mar Biol 150:79–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, 6140, Grahamstown, South Africa

    Christopher D. McQuaid

  2. Laboratory of Coastal Biodiversity, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental–CIIMAR, Universidade do Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, 4050-123, Porto, Portugal

    Francisco Arenas

Authors
  1. Christopher D. McQuaid
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Francisco Arenas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christopher D. McQuaid .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

    Rights and permissions

    Reprints and permissions

    Copyright information

    © 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

    About this chapter

    Cite this chapter

    McQuaid, C.D., Arenas, F. (2009). Biological Invasions. In: Wahl, M. (eds) Marine Hard Bottom Communities. Ecological Studies, vol 206. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/b76710_22

    Download citation

    Publish with us

    Policies and ethics

    Search

    Navigation