Alien invasive species are a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services; their number continues to increase as globalization in trade and transport continue to break down biogeographical barriers. Climate change, habitat degradation and fragmentation, and anthropogenic contamination may further increase the successful establishment of exotic species by disproportionately reducing the fitness of their native, less tolerant counterparts. Isolated ecosystems such as islands, which often harbor unique biodiversity, can be particularly vulnerable to invasive species. Rigorous evaluation of the ecological impacts of biological invasions requires that we monitor the occurrence of the invasive species as well as quantify their physiological tolerance to natural and anthropogenic stressors. This information will allow us to predict the probability of invasion success and competitive outcomes with native species. These predictions regarding invasive species are especially important but still unclear under expected climate change scenarios. Combining species distribution models with physiological thresholds can provide a better understanding of invasive species fundamental niche, resulting in more robust and consistent predictions of invasion patterns.
In the last century, the New Zealand freshwater snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum has invaded aquatic ecosystems worldwide.
These destructive invaders are found at high densities in all types of aquatic ecosystems due to their high reproductive capacity and broad tolerance towards environmental stressors. Although this species is present in Portugal, there is no information about the distribution, abundance, and ecological impacts of P. antipodarum on native freshwater ecosystems.
The major goal of the present project is to tackle this knowledge gap in relation to the status of P. antipodarum invasion in Portugal. We have assembled a multidisciplinary team with expertise in freshwater ecology, ecotoxicology, and evolutionary
biology to carry out an integrated and stepwise approach that will include in situ monitoring and genetic characterization of P. antipodarum populations and evaluation of their physiological tolerances. Results from monitoring and experimental approaches will be then used to produce distribution models for P. antipodarum that will allow us to better predict its invasion patterns under
expected climatic changes for Mediterranean and Atlantic freshwater ecosystems (e.g warming and salinization) in Portuguese mainland and Atlantic islands.
The goal of the project is to use this information to propose measures for regional/national management and control plans aiming at preventing or delaying the spread of P. antipodarum to new areas. Strategies to capitalize citizen participation on detection and surveillance of P. antipodarum populations will also be pursued, contributing for a more sustainable management of Water Resources in Portugal.
