Identifying niche and fitness dissimilarities in invaded marine macroalgal canopies within the context of contemporary coexistence theory.

ABSTRACT: Contemporary coexistence theory provides a framework for predicting invasiveness and impact of Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) by incorporating differences in niche and fitness between INNS and co-occurring native species. The widespread invasive kelp Undaria pinnatifida is considered a high-risk INNS, although a robust evidence base regarding its invasiveness and impact is lacking in many regions. Invaded macroalgal canopies at nine coastal sites in the southwest UK were studied over three years to discern whether Undaria is coexisting or competing with native canopy-forming species across different habitat types. Spatial, temporal and depth-related trends in species distributions and abundance were recorded within intertidal and subtidal rocky reef as well as on marina pontoons. A pri

SUBMITTER: Epstein G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6584561 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature