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Invasive Species Monitoring, Risk Assessments and Ecological Modeling
Objectives
This is a developing project with the objective of conducting ecological research on coastal and marine invasive species needed by resource managers to identify, prioritize, and implement management actions.
Project Summary
The number of coastal and marine invasive species (i.e. species purposefully or accidentally introduced in non-native environments) is occurring at an alarming rate. Invasive species are a major threat to marine ecosystems, comprising dramatic effects on biodiversity, biological productivity, habitat structure and fisheries.
The Biogeography Branch of NOAA's Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment has begun to conduct research on invasive species to provide resource managers the tools and data needed to make informed management decisions. Products will build on the Branchís expertise in spatial analyses and include deliverables such as:
- Early warning detection and monitoring designs,
- Risk assessments, and
- Ecological models.
Quantitative spatial analyses in the form of spatial characterizations and predictive models will form the core of deliverables. Early warning detection and monitoring systems, will draw upon conclusions generated from spatial analyses and threat assessments to offer the best potential of initially detecting high-priority threats and, if needed, monitoring invasive species and their impacts over time. Risk assessments will comprise methods to estimate the magnitude, probability, location (habitat), vector, immediacy, and irreversibility of threats. Ecological models, including forecasts, will assess and predict ecological consequences of marine invasive species establishment.
Research is intended to take place in numerous coastal areas. Currently, work is being conducted in the Northwestern Hawaiian Island's Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. Monument staff and the Biogeography Branch in consultation with National Marine Fisheries Service's Coral Reef Ecosystem Division have arranged a field mission in April 2008 to collect data on alien species. The objectives of the mission will be to gather in situ alien species data, evaluate sampling technologies and predictive capabilities, and generate a survey baseline.
Products
Future
Report: An assessment of sampling technologies and predictive mapping capabilities for marine invasive species in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument
Partners
For More Information
Charles Menza
1305 East-West Highway
SSMC-IV, N/SCI-1
Silver Spring , MD 20910
301-713-3028 x107
Mark Monaco
1305 East-West Highway
SSMC-IV, N/SCI-1
Silver Spring , MD 20910
301-713-3028 x160