The sign of six invading seaweed in Ibiza
A scientific team of the Mediterranean Institute of Advanced Studies (Imedea) of the UIB will analyze in 2007 the effects of six species of invading seaweed in Ibiza and Formentera. The investigators are developing a molecular technique to collect data on the diversity of the populations of the marine bottoms. The study wants to clarify if the invasion has risks for the future of the living beings.
A group of investigators of the Mediterranean Institute of Advanced Studies (Imedea), related to the Superior Center of Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC) and to the Universitat of the Illes Balears (UIB) will apply in waters of Ibiza and Formentera the next year a molecular technique to collect data on the diversity of the plant populations (of the bottom of the sea) that will allow to analyze the effects of six species of invading seaweed in the islands and other zones of the Mediterranean, according to the Newspaper of Ibiza doctor Jorge Miguel Terraces, investigator responsible for this study. The team is already carrying out several analyses with the objective to know the operation the marine ecosystems and to understand the consequences of the arrival of the new species that during the last years have colonized extensive zones of the coasts of Balears and the Mediterranean in general. The investigators try to increase the knowledge on the alterations that take place in the coastal habitat, not only those caused by the invading plants, but also by the human activities. The equipment will analyze in a first stage the study the degree of invasion of six species of exotic marine seaweed introduced in the balearic communities to identify which of the bentónicos ecosystems are most susceptible to be invaded. To study the risk for the future of the biodiversity, a question difficult to anser, explained Terrados. Taxifolia has settled down which the oceanic Posidonia species has certain capacity to repel the invasion of some of the seaweed, like the racemosa Caulerpa, and to coexist without altering in a significant way with, like the Caulerpa. In the case of the rodofíceas, known vulgarly like red seaweed, still lack to determine its effects after its colonization. The team of scientists indeed uses these invasions like "natural experiments" to come near to the operation of the invaded ecosystem and to know its natural development and the paper its biodiversity in its future preservation. The molecular technique to obtain values of the specific diversity in the bentónicas communities of seaweed constitutes a pioneering experience that is put for the first time in practice to study this type of ecosystems. It will allow to gather a greater number of samples in a smaller time term than the usual one plus to make more general studies of the relations between the biodiversity and the ecosystems, since it is able to include all the organisms that comprise of communities like the one of posidonia. Yet it, the investigators will be able to design in a future campaigns to protect the native marine prairies if outside precise by the threat of the invaders.
If you want to see the underwater world of the island we recomend Ibiza Diving. a dive shop with 12 years of experience a great team of instructors and great equipment. They will open on the 1st of april and will stay open till end of october. For more information about scuba diving check out this page and you will find some crazy photos.
A group of investigators of the Mediterranean Institute of Advanced Studies (Imedea), related to the Superior Center of Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC) and to the Universitat of the Illes Balears (UIB) will apply in waters of Ibiza and Formentera the next year a molecular technique to collect data on the diversity of the plant populations (of the bottom of the sea) that will allow to analyze the effects of six species of invading seaweed in the islands and other zones of the Mediterranean, according to the Newspaper of Ibiza doctor Jorge Miguel Terraces, investigator responsible for this study. The team is already carrying out several analyses with the objective to know the operation the marine ecosystems and to understand the consequences of the arrival of the new species that during the last years have colonized extensive zones of the coasts of Balears and the Mediterranean in general. The investigators try to increase the knowledge on the alterations that take place in the coastal habitat, not only those caused by the invading plants, but also by the human activities. The equipment will analyze in a first stage the study the degree of invasion of six species of exotic marine seaweed introduced in the balearic communities to identify which of the bentónicos ecosystems are most susceptible to be invaded. To study the risk for the future of the biodiversity, a question difficult to anser, explained Terrados. Taxifolia has settled down which the oceanic Posidonia species has certain capacity to repel the invasion of some of the seaweed, like the racemosa Caulerpa, and to coexist without altering in a significant way with, like the Caulerpa. In the case of the rodofíceas, known vulgarly like red seaweed, still lack to determine its effects after its colonization. The team of scientists indeed uses these invasions like "natural experiments" to come near to the operation of the invaded ecosystem and to know its natural development and the paper its biodiversity in its future preservation. The molecular technique to obtain values of the specific diversity in the bentónicas communities of seaweed constitutes a pioneering experience that is put for the first time in practice to study this type of ecosystems. It will allow to gather a greater number of samples in a smaller time term than the usual one plus to make more general studies of the relations between the biodiversity and the ecosystems, since it is able to include all the organisms that comprise of communities like the one of posidonia. Yet it, the investigators will be able to design in a future campaigns to protect the native marine prairies if outside precise by the threat of the invaders.
If you want to see the underwater world of the island we recomend Ibiza Diving. a dive shop with 12 years of experience a great team of instructors and great equipment. They will open on the 1st of april and will stay open till end of october. For more information about scuba diving check out this page and you will find some crazy photos.
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