CIBIO-InBIO RESEARCHER MANUELA PARENTE STUDIED THE INVASIVE MARINE SPECIES OF AZORES

BIOISLE researcher Manuela Parente was present in the seminar “Marine Non-Indigenous Species” that took place in the University of Azores, on February 18. Afterwards, she was interviewed for the local newspaper “Atlântico Expresso” with whom she shared some of the results of the ASMAS project. The main goal of this project was to study the invasive macroalgae in marinas and harbors of Azores.

The obtained results were very impressive. After identification, 26 non-indigenous species were recorded, of which 84% were red algae, and the majority was filamentous. From these, 6 exotic species found in Azores are potentially invasive and belong to the 100 worst marine invasive Mediterranean species. Although the majority had its origin in the Pacific Ocean, they arrived to Azores together with watercrafts from Europe and Mediterranean Sea. Those invasive species can lead to the loss of the peculiar diversity on these islands. To avoid that, more studies, monitorization and eradication must be done in order to minimize the negative impacts of invasions.

To read the full interview, please click here

Seis das espécies invasoras dos Açores estão na lista das 100 piores espécies invasoras marinhas do Mediterrâneo | Atlântico Expresso | Mar 9, 2015 (in Portuguese only)