University of Hawai‘i at Manoa • Botany Department and Bishop Museum
Invasive Marine Algae of Hawai‘i
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Bishop Museum's Introduced Species of Hawai‘i
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Botany, University
of Hawai‘i at Manoa, and supported by
©Botany Department, University of Hawai‘i
Website by Linda Preskitt (preskitt@hawaii.edu)
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Introduction
Understanding the mechanisms and impacts of biological
invasions remains crucial to preserving marine biodiversity and
biocomplexity. Invasive species may consume, outcompete or hybridize
with native species, resulting in the loss of native biodiversity
or even alteration of ecosystem processes (e.g. Vitousek, et. al. 1997).
The invasion of coastal ecosystems by non-native species is now widely
recognized and continues to take place at apparently increasing rates (Grosholz
& Ruiz
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Ecological Impact
While most introduced species do not become
invasive, those that do can have enormous ecological and economic impacts.
If invasive marine macrophytes can be identified based on morphological
features early in the cycle of their introduction and spread, then
Recent publications (e.g. Abbott, 1999) have demonstrated that invasive species can be successfully identified based on specific characters in the majority of cases.
The early detection and management of alien species are our most powerful tools to "stem" the impact of alien algae in Hawaiian coastal communities.
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Bibliography: Abbott, I.A.1999. Marine Red Algae of the Hawaiian Islands. Bishop Museum Press; de Villele, X. & M. Verlaque, 1995. Botanica Marina, 38:79-87. Doty, M.S. 1961. Pacific Science. 15:547-52. Grosholz, E.D. & Ruiz, G.M. 1996. Biological Conservation, 78: 59-66. Ribera, M.A. & C.F. Boudouresque, 1995. Progress in Phycological Research, 11:187-268. Russell, D. 1992. ICES Marine Science Symposium 194:110-25. Vitousek, P.M., C.M. D'Antonio, L.L.Loope, M. Rejmanek, R. Westbrooks. 1997. New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 21:1-16.
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