Dr Laura Falkenberg1, Dr Patrick Joyce1
1The Chinese University Of Hong Kong, ShaTin, Hong Kong SAR, China
Invasive species occurrences are continually increasing, with potential these changes can cause detrimental ecosystem effects. The occurrence of invasions is likely to be exacerbated globally as expanding human populations drive increased connectivity and shipping, as well as disruption of shorelines. Therefore, it is of particular interest to consider invasions in areas that are already experiencing the consequences of large human populations – such as Hong Kong. Important invasions will include those of bivalves, as the beds they form provide ecosystem services that underpin human health, wellbeing, and economies. Here, I share results of a survey conducted to document the distribution of invasive mussels in Hong Kong, and compare these results with those of previous surveys (last conducted in 2014). Our results indicate that an invasive mussel identified in the last survey – Xenostrobus securis – is now found more widely, and that another invasive mussel – Mytella strigata – has been reported in Hong Kong for the first time. Quantification of the size-frequency and condition index of these mussels also reveals new understanding of the population characteristics in sampled areas. Importantly, these invasive mussels will not occur in isolation, but rather exist as part of complex ecosystems with other mussel species (both invasive and native), predators (e.g., crabs), and pollutants (e.g., microplastics). I also outline results of experimental manipulations which have been used to quantify the strength of these interactions, and potential ecosystem effects. Together, our results indicate that the occurrence of invasive mussels can rapidly increase on disturbed shorelines to drive concerning ecological effects.
Presentation Slides – Laura Falkenberg
Biography:
Laura Falkenberg is an Assistant Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Her research focus is on global change biology, considering the impacts of changes such as warming, ocean acidification, pollutants including microplastics, and invasive species, on marine biota and ecosystems. Importantly, Laura is also interested in linking these changes with implications for human societies.
