Abstract

The establishment of non-indigenous species (NIS) has become a global phenomenon and is acknowledged as one of many potential threats against biodiversity and the functioning of marine ecosystems. To support effective management there is a need to predict NIS distribution and identify areas with the highest invasion risk. In this study we have developed local species distribution models by combining observations of one of the top-tier invasive NIS, the round goby Neogobius melanostomus, with high resolution maps of environmental conditions along the Baltic Sea coast of south-eastern Sweden. By applying the model with and without spatial constraints we estimate the current and potential distribution. The difference between these two maps outlines high risk areas for potential colonization, should round goby continue to spread in accordance with environmental preference in the area. We additionally highlight the significance of scale for distribution modelling by comparing the importance of local environmental conditions to variables important on a regional scale. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Spatial analysis; Model; Habitat; Introduced species

Published in

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
2018, Volume: 207, pages: 359-367

SLU Authors

• Florin, Ann-Britt

  • Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development


UKÄ Subject classification

Ecology
Fish and Aquacultural Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2017.10.005

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/95612