Spatially explicit risk assessment for coastal invaders under different management scenarios

SANDRA M. FIORI· PAULA D. PRATOLONGO · SERGIO M. ZALBA · MARÍA E. CARBONE · MARÍA E. BRAVO

MARINE BIOLOGY

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2016 p. 163 - 245

0025-3162

Biological invasions are particularly challenging in marine environments, where control strategies are scarce and efforts to reduce the abundance of the invader are costly and difficult, often representing insurmountable challenges. However, the magnitude of the impact ofthe invasion depends not only on the characteristics of the invading species, but also on the inherent features of the receiving environment; managing the environmental matrix could therefore be the best option for preventing or reducing undesired effects. The objective of the present work was to develop a spatially explicit risk-based approach toevaluate the effectiveness of different management practicesdesigned to mitigate the potential impacts of the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) in the Bahía Blanca estuary (38°50′S, 62°20′W). A Risk Index (RI) was constructed to assess the potential negative impact of oyster bed expansion on environmental values and human health. RI mapswere built to compare the potential effects of different management options in terms of risk reduction.