This document discusses invasive species in coastal ecosystems, focusing on Puerto Rico. It defines invasive species and describes common pathways like transportation and commerce. Invasive species threaten biodiversity and alter ecosystems. In Puerto Rico, lionfish, firefish, Asian tiger shrimp and sea lions have become established. Management challenges include inconsistent data and limited funding. Effective strategies prioritize high-risk species and pathways to prevent new introductions.

1. Invasive species in Coastal Ecosystems:
Causes, Impacts and Management
Recommendations
Mónica A. Flores-Hernández
CIAM 6117: Coastal Environments
Dr. Loretta Roberson
October 28, 2015

2. Today's topics
 Introduction
◦ What is an invasive specie?
◦ Pathways
◦ Geographical extent
 Impacts to coastal ecosystems
 Invasive species in P.R.
 Management
◦ What have been done?
◦ What could be done?

3. What is an invasive species?
◦ Invasive species: alien species whose introduction
does or is likely to cause economic, environmental
or human health harm.
 Scientific definition (article)
◦ any specie reported to have become
established outside of its native range.
 US Federal Executive Order 13112 (1999)
◦ Alien species: any species, including any of
their biological material capable of propagating
that species, that is not native to that ecosystem.
http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/laws/execorder.shtml

4. Types
http://atlas.eea.uprm.edu/plantas/jacinto-de-agua
wayfaring.info

5. Pathways
 “any means that allows entry or spread of an
invasive species” (Campbell and Kriesch 2003).
 Transportation
◦ Ballast and/or fouling (57% of harmful species)
◦ Dredge spoil material
◦ Canals
◦ Containers
◦ Tourism http://www.steamshipmutual.co
m/publications/Articles/USBW
DS1012.htm
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/dredging.html

6. Pathways
 Commerce (industries, some pics)
 Live seafood trade
 Livestock
 Aquaculture and mariculture activities (64%
harmful species)
 Pet , aquarium, agricultural trade (legal and illegal)
 Bait industry
The Pacific oyster (Crassostrea
gigas) has been intentionally
released and cultured in
coastal waters around the
world. It can dominate native
species and destroy habitat
(ecological impact = 3).
Molnar, Gamboa, Revenga & Spalding, 2008)

7. Geographical extent
Numbers of known harmful alien species
No Data 1–2 3–7 8–15 16–30 31–56
Other alien species reported
66%
73%
74%
73%
Molnar, Gamboa, Revenga & Spalding, 2008)

8. The most…
 Common invasive species found
 crustaceans (59)
 mollusks (54)
 algae (46)
 fish (38)
 annelids (31)
 plants (19)
 cnidarians (17)
 Threatening
 57% of species in our database are harmful, ranging from
47% of cnidarians to 84% of plants
http://aquaculture.org.nz/industry/pacific-oysters/

9. Impacts to Coastal Ecosystems
 Impacts to marine biodiversity
Second greatest threat to biodiversity
◦ Displacement of native species
◦ Change the community structure (food webs)
 Predation
 Competition for resources
◦ Alter ecosystem processes
 Nutrient cycling
 Sedimentation

10. Impacts to Coastal Ecosystems
 Economic impacts
◦ Diminish fisheries and tourism
◦ Increased maintance costs of ships
 Foul ship hulls
 Clog intake pipes
 Health impacts
 Invasive species can serve as disease, pathogens and
parasite vectors.

11. ALIEN SPECIES IN
PUERTO RICO

12. Pterois volitans & Pterois miles
 Common name: Lionfish and Firefish
 Means of introduction
◦ Aquarium trade and pet release
 Impacts
◦ Decrease of coral-reef fishes recruitment
(Albins & Hixon, 2008).
◦ Predation of native fishes
and juvenile crustaceans.
◦ Harmful changes of
coral reef communities.
(USGS, 2015)
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/SpeciesList.aspx?group=&state=PR&Sortby=3

13. Penaeus monodon
 Common name:Asian tiger shrimp
 Means of introduction:
◦ 1970s and 80s global production.
◦ Escapement from aquaculture facilities
following flooding by storms and hurricanes.
◦ Migration from areas where it was
established in the wild.
 Impacts:
◦ No impacts have been registered.
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.a
spx?SpeciesID=1209
(USGS, 2015)
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/SpeciesList.aspx?group=&state=PR&Sortby=3

14. Otaria flavescens
 Common name: South American sea lion
 One specimen found at Flamenco Beach
in Culebra, P.R.
(USGS, 2015)
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/SpeciesList.aspx?group=&state=PR&Sortby=3

15. Management
 What has been done?
◦ Several National, academic and private efforts
are in place.
 US National Invasive Species Council’s Pathways
Team
 Global Invasive Species Information Network

16. Management
 Challenges
◦ Local impacts, global drivers.
◦ Inconsistencies in definitions and data
formats.

◦ Lack of information regarding impacts.
◦ Once established, most are difficult if not
impossible to remove or control.
◦ Limited funds.

17. Management
◦ Prioritizing actions
 Harmful species (Byers et al. 2002)
 Current distributions
 Pathways to new regions
 Interception or removal of pathways (Carlton and Ruiz 2005).
 Focus on shipping activities
◦ Reporting and documenting threats and
impacts.
◦ Informing strategies and introduction
decisions.

18. Guide questions
 What could be the factors influencing the
presence of invasive species in the places
mentioned?
 Are invasive species an issue in Puerto Rico?
Why?
 What is the importance of maintaining high
biodiversity in the Climate Change scenario?
 How could scientific research influence public
policy and management to control invasive
species?