Invasive Species in Aquatic Ecosystems and their Ecological and Economic Impacts

Abstract

Invasive species are among the most important drivers of environmental change globally, exerting enormous ecological impacts and enormous economic costs on aquatic systems. Here we examine how invaders affect ecosystems at both levels across fresh, estuarine and marine biomes. Here we present a meta-analysis of 20 years of time-series data and determine the manner in which invasive generalist species (such as Dreissena polymorpha, Carcinus maenas, and Pterois volitans) displace native species, alter trophic interactions and physical structures. We find that high density invasive species cause sharp decreases in the diversity of native species, functional biodiversity and the supply of ecosystem services such as clean water, cycling of nutrients, fisheries productivity. The associated economic costs include infrastructure maintenance, decline of commercial fisheries, management costs and unparalleled levels. We then determine proactive management mechanisms including vector management, eDNA surveillance in real-time and automatic biological controls which both diminish ecological and economic losses; proactive mechanisms of invasion control, through development and use of eDNA in real time, together with standard bio-economic vulnerability mapping will assist in decision support; in addition, the integration of early warning mechanisms into ecosystem management protocols through bio-economic modeling provides an empirical foundation on which to focus resources, prioritize actions and design effective biosecurity strategies for the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable prosperity of regional marine economies. There are considerable implications in cross-disciplinary efforts that combine ecological monitoring with the economic impact to effectively target actions towards both the maintenance of healthy aquatic systems and sustainable development of relevant social and economic resources.