Global warming opens the door for invasive macrophytes in Swedish lakes and streams
Global warming opens the door for invasive macrophytes in Swedish lakes and streams The increased travelling and transporting by man has caused more species to be moved to new areas, e.g. in ballast water. These species are called introduced species or alien species. Some alien species manage to rep...
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| Formato: | L3 |
| Lenguaje: | Inglés sueco |
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SLU/Dept. of Environmental Assessment
2005
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| Sumario: | Global warming opens the door for invasive macrophytes in Swedish lakes and streams The increased travelling and transporting by man has caused more species to be moved to new areas, e.g. in ballast water. These species are called introduced species or alien species. Some alien species manage to reproduce and grow rapidly in their new environment. They are then called invasive species. Invasive species is a threat against biodiversity and an economical problem. They compete with other species and can change the environment for these species. In this study aquatic plants (macrophytes) are treated. Some invasive macrophytes have such an immense growth that they are an obstacle for swimmers and anglers. Examples of aquatic species that has been introduced to Sweden and caused problems are the water weed (Elodea canadensis) and the fringed water lily (Nymhopides peltata).
Due to the emissions of so called greenhouse gases, the scientist believes that the climate is changing. They estimate that the annual mean temperature in Sweden will rise with 2.5–4.5°C. The consequences are that species that previously was not able to survive in Sweden might be able to survive in the future. In this study I have compiled a list of aquatic vascular plants introduced somewhere in the world. I have examined if the species described as invasive could establish in Sweden, both at the current climate, and in the future climate predicted by two different models from the Swedish Metrology and Hydrology Institute (SMHI). By matching the species distribution with current climate using the computer program GARP (Genetic Algorithm for Rule-set Prediction), I have created a niche for each species. These niches have been projected onto the future and current climate. The results show that the risk of introductions of invasive species to Swedish freshwater habitats will increase in the future. Many of the invasive species are also able to establish at the current climate. The results show that the species which have the biggest possibility to establish in Sweden are: Azolla filiculoides, Crassula helmsii, Lagarosiphon major, Lemna minuta, Myriophyllum aquaticum and Zizania aquatica. They can establish at both the current climate, and a future warmer climate. |
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