Exotic asphyxiation: interactions between invasive species and hypoxia.

Non-indigenous species (NIS) and hypoxia (<2 mg O2 l-1 ) can disturb and restructure aquatic communities. Both are heavily influenced by human activities and are intensifying with global change. As these disturbances increase, understanding how they interact to affect native species and systems is essential. To expose patterns, outcomes, and generalizations, we thoroughly reviewed the biological invasion literature and compiled 100 studies that examine the interaction of hypoxia and NIS. We found that 64% of studies showed that NIS are tolerant of hypoxia, and 62% showed that NIS perform better than native species under hypoxia. Only one-quarter of studies examined NIS as creators of hypoxia; thus, NIS are more often considered passengers associated with hypoxia, rather than drivers of it. Paradoxically, the NIS that most commonly create hypoxia are primary producers. Taxa like molluscs are typically more hypoxia tolerant than mobile taxa like fish and crustaceans. Most studies examine individual-level or localized responses to hypoxia; however, the most extensive impacts occur when hypoxia associated with NIS affects communities and ecosystems. We discuss how these influences of hypoxia at higher levels of organization better inform net outcomes of the biological invasion process, i.e. establishment, spread, and impact, and are thus most useful to management. Our review identifies wide variation in the way in which the interaction between hypoxia and NIS is studied in the literature, and suggests ways to address the number of variables that affect their interaction and refine insight gleaned from future studies. We also identify a clear need for resource management to consider the interactive effects of these two global stressors which are almost exclusively managed independently.

On the diversity and distribution of a data deficient habitat in a poorly mapped region: The case of Sabellaria alveolata L. in Ireland.

Data that can be used to monitor biodiversity through time are essential for conservation and management. The reef-forming worm, Sabellaria alveolata (L. 1767) is currently classed as 'Data Deficient' due to an imbalance in the spread of data on its distribution. Little is known about the distribution of this species around Ireland. Using data archaeology, we collated past and present distribution records and discovered that S. alveolata has a discontinuous distribution with large gaps between populations. Many regions lack data and should be targeted for sampling. Biodiversity surveys revealed that S. alveolata supported diverse epibiotic algal communities. Retrograding (declining) reefs supported greater infaunal diversity than prograding (growing) reefs or sand, suggesting that S. alveolata is a dynamic ecosystem engineer that has a lasting legacy effect. Similar research should be carried out for other Data Deficient species, habitats and regions. Such data are invaluable resources for management and conservation.

Facilitating your replacement? Ecosystem engineer legacy affects establishment success of an expanding competitor.

Interactions with resident species can affect the rate that expanding species invade novel areas. These interactions can be antagonistic (biotic resistance), where resident species hinder invasive establishment, or facilitative (biotic assistance), where residents promote invasive establishment. The predominance of resistance or assistance could vary with the abiotic context. We examined how the effects of a resident ecosystem engineer interact with abiotic stress to resist or assist the establishment of an expanding competitor. In Florida salt marshes, native cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, is an influential ecosystem engineer that, when dead, exerts a legacy effect by forming persistent wrack patches. We examined how the legacy effect of Spartina wrack varies with spatial context and abiotic conditions to influence establishment of the northward-expanding black mangrove, Avicennia germinans. Field surveys documented that Spartina wrack and Avicennia propagules co-occur in the high intertidal zone, and we conducted two outdoor mesocosm experiments to investigate this association. Wrack positively affected propagule establishment when propagules were beneath wrack, but negatively affected establishment when propagules were above wrack. The abiotic tidal regime influences the magnitude of wrack effects by controlling ambient moisture, and the positive and negative effects of wrack were stronger in low moisture conditions that simulated desiccation stress during harsh neap tides. Thus, the same resident engineer can either resist or assist an expanding competitor and the magnitude of these effects depends on abiotic conditions. We propose that under harsh conditions, there is greater scope for an engineer's mediating influence to affect associated species, both positively and negatively.