Ziel
Species invasion is one of the prime threats to biodiversity, driving major changes in ecosystem structure and function. Identifying the traits associated with invasion has been largely restricted to comparing indigenous and invasive species or comparing invasive species that differ in abundance or impact. However, a more complete understanding may emerge when the entire pool of potentially invasive species is used as a control, information that is rarely available. Fish populations in the Mediterranean are faced with multiple stressors including overfishing, pollution, habitat loss and displacement by invasive species. The latter is of particular concern in the eastern Mediterranean where a large influx of Red Sea species has followed the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. These invasive species make up a large percentage of total fish biomass in this region. However, it is generally unknown how these species impact the ecology of indigenous species. In addition, it has proven challenging to identify the traits that enhance invasion success. The proposed research will focus on this unique 'natural experiment', in which almost the entire pool of potentially alien species is known, to understanding the causes of fish invasion and its consequences for indigenous species. This work will combine two complementary approaches to study species invasion, focusing both on the impact of invasive species in the Mediterranean and on the traits that lead to a successful invasion. This combination provides a powerful strategy for evaluating the underlying ecological mechanisms. This study links local experimental manipulations, coarse-grained data compilation and detailed state-of-the-art approaches for estimating life-history traits under a single conceptual framework. Results will provide critical information for the appreciation of the risks facing indigenous fish, information which is necessary for mitigation efforts.
Wissenschaftliches Gebiet
CORDIS klassifiziert Projekte mit EuroSciVoc, einer mehrsprachigen Taxonomie der Wissenschaftsbereiche, durch einen halbautomatischen Prozess, der auf Verfahren der Verarbeitung natürlicher Sprache beruht.
CORDIS klassifiziert Projekte mit EuroSciVoc, einer mehrsprachigen Taxonomie der Wissenschaftsbereiche, durch einen halbautomatischen Prozess, der auf Verfahren der Verarbeitung natürlicher Sprache beruht.
Aufforderung zur Vorschlagseinreichung
FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG
Andere Projekte für diesen Aufruf anzeigen
Finanzierungsplan
MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG)Koordinator
69978 Tel Aviv
Israel