Migration of new species to the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean is experiencing a veritable invasion of alien species. In recent decades, more than 900 animal species, including poisonous blowfish, have made their new home in the blue waters of this body of water.

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With the influx of so many new links in the food chain, the whole structure has been changed. For the time being, it is impossible to assess the risks and consequences of this situation, as there is not enough knowledge; research has only been conducted for four years by University of Gothenburg staff.

“The Mediterranean Sea, is most often chosen by new species as their new habitat, unfortunately our knowledge of its impact on the ecosystem is very poor. What we do know is that if a species takes a liking to the sea and manages to adapt, it becomes impossible to get rid of it.” – says Stefan Kalogirou from the Department of Marine Ecology at the University of Gothenburg.

When the Suez Canal was completed in 1869, it opened the way for new species to reach the waters of the Mediterranean and we are now witnessing the enormous changes that are taking place in the ecosystem of this basin. In recent years, reports of an influx of new species into the various environments of the eastern coast have caused concern with native species and how will all this affect the ecosystem?

Over a period of four years, S. Kalogirou, in collaboration with the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, studied the structures and functioning of the fish community in grassy meadows and on sandy bottoms, on the island of Rhodes in southeastern Greece. This has shed some light on the biological aspects of alien species invasion of the current ecosystem and changes in the food chain.

“The results of our study clearly show the impact that accrues to the environment, from incoming species, when they become the dominant species such as the blowfish. It is clear that the food chain is then restructured, but our conclusions are limited by the lack of research on this topic.”

Source: http://www.xray-mag.com/