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Marine Ecological Assessment Research

I am currently undertaking research for a PhD (part-time) at the Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Portsmouth. My main academic supervisor is Dr. Gordon Watson and my second at Portsmouth is Dr. Nic Minter. Dr. Simon Bray (AQASS Ltd.) is my external supervisor. The project title of this largely, unfunded research is:

The influence of a non-native species on habitat structure and functioning of benthic systems: case study of an introduced lugworm in the Solent.

The pervading opinion with regard to non-native species is that they are having or, will have, a negative impact on both biodiversity and ecosystems to a greater or lesser extent, with the emphasis usually on the former (Davis et al., 2011). Increasingly, this position is being challenged by ecologists (Bonanno, 2016; Davis et al., 2011; Hettinger, 2014; Katsanevakis et al., 2014; Pereyra, 2016; Schlaepfer et al., 2011; and, Zwerschke et al., 2016). The PhD is investigating to what extent, if any, non-native species actually help maintain ecosystem structure and function and thereby, support ecological resilience to future environmental change. The identified presence of a species of lugworm new to UK shores, in conjunction with native lugworm (in particular Arenicola marina) habitat, presents a unique opportunity to study the effect of a benthic non-native ecosystem engineer species on valuable (economically and in conservation terms) UK intertidal habitats.

References

Bonanno, G. (2016). Alien species: to remove or not to remove? That is the question. Environmental Science & Policy, Volume 59, Pages 67–73.

Davis, M.A., Chew, M.K., Hobbs, R.J., Lugo, A.E., Ewel, J.J., Vermeij, G.J., Brown, J.H., Rosenzweig, M.L., Gardener, M.R., Carroll, S.P., Thompson, K., Pickett, S.T., Stromberg, J.C., Del Tredici, P., Suding, K.N., Ehrenfeld, J.G., Grime, J.P., Mascaro, J. and Briggs, J.C. (2011). Don't judge species on their origins. Nature, 474, 153–154. doi: 10.1038/474153a.

Hettinger, N. (2014). Non-native species. In: Ethics, Science, Technology and Engineering: A Global Resource, 2nd Edition. Editor Holbrook, J.B., 271-274, Macmillan Reference USA. ISBN-10: 002866213X.

Katsanevakis, S., Wallentinus, I., Zenetos, A., Leppäkoski, E., Çinar, M.E., Oztürk, B., Grabowski, M., Golani, D. & Cardoso, A.C. (2014). Impacts of marine invasive alien species on ecosystem services and biodiversity: a pan-European review. Aquatic Invasions, 9, 391–423.

Pereyra, P. J. (2016). Revisiting the use of the invasive species concept: An empirical approach. Austral Ecology, doi: 10.1111/aec.12340.

Schlaepfer, M. A., Sax, D. F. and Olden, J. D. (2011). The potential conservation value of non-native species. Conservation Biology, 25: 428–437. doi: 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2010.01646.x.

Zwerschke, N., Emmerson, M. C., Roberts, D., and O'Connor, N. E. (2016). Benthic assemblages associated with native and non-native oysters are similar. Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 111, Issues 1–2, Pages 305-310. ISSN 0025-326X.



Institute of Marine Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Ferry Road, Portsmouth

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© Copyright 2017 Peter Barfield, All rights reserved in all media.
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  • Home
  • Ecological Assessment
    • Services
    • Research
  • Marine Education
    • Services
    • Publications >
      • Journal of Conchology >
        • Acanthocardia paucicostata
      • PMNHS >
        • By-the-wind-sailor
        • Celtic sea-slug
        • Edible crab
        • Giant worm shell
        • Grey sea-slug
        • Sally lightfoot crab
        • Starlet sea anemone
        • Striped dolphin
      • Natural history notes and observations >
        • Elysia viridis, the solar-powered sea slug
        • Dog whelk basics
      • Something for the children
  • Gallery
    • Licensing content
    • Isle of Wight >
      • Bembridge Ledges
      • Bonchurch Shore
      • White Cliff Bay
    • Montages >
      • Calendar, 2004
      • Calendar, 2006
    • North Cornwall >
      • Crackington Haven
      • Edible crab facts
      • Tregardock Beach >
        • Intertidal fauna and flora
    • Saltmarsh
    • Scotland >
      • Handa Island
      • Port of Tarbet, Sound of Handa
    • Sicily >
      • Santa Marina, Salina
    • Skomer >
      • Benthic fauna
  • Contact