A introdução de espécies exóticas nos ecossistemas marinhos, estuarinos e de água doce já é realidade em muitos locais do globo. Apesar de existirem diferentes mecanismos de dispersão de espécies exóticas, que variam tanto espacialmente quanto temporalmente, o movimento global da água de lastro é o vetor de transferência mais importante na atualidade. A proposta deste estudo é a caracterização do Porto do Rio de Janeiro sob o aspecto da água de lastro a partir de dois instrumentos: o Formulário para informações a respeito da água utilizada como lastro e a planilha Ballast Water Estimates From Port Recorders (método GloBallast), objetivando-se quantificar o lastro descarregado, a partir das informações prestadas pelos navios nos formulários e, no segundo caso, estimar os volumes por meio de informações relativas ao despacho dos navios. Utilizou-se, também, uma variante do segundo método, proposto na bibliografia científica nacional, chamado de método do cálculo do deslastro estimado. À informação de volume, foi também associada uma análise das rotas mais freqüentes, a observação da realização da troca oceânica do lastro ou de qualquer outra medida de tratamento do lastro a bordo, além de proceder-se a um levantamento das características ambientais da baía de Guanabara, onde se situa o porto, assim como das espécies exóticas já verificadas na costa do Rio de Janeiro, em especial na própria baía. A primeira conclusão que foi possível tirar, comparando-se os dados obtidos nos trabalhos já realizados e os do presente estudo, é que a qualidade das informações prestadas nos formulários parece ter melhorado, estando mais próximas da realidade, apesar de ainda não corresponder ao número total de atracações registradas para o Porto do Rio de Janeiro. Com relação ao procedimento de troca da água de lastro em alto mar, foi possível observar que isso ocorreu sempre nos casos dos navios que vinham de portos no exterior, e também em diversas ocasiões em navios que vinham de portos nacionais, apesar de não ser um procedimento obrigatório, salvo exceções. Os volumes totais de deslastro obtidos pelos diferentes métodos foram em torno de 870.000 m3, pouco mais de 2 milhões de m3 e 4 milhões de m3, o primeiro calculado a partir dos formulários e os dois seguintes estimados por meio da utilização da planilha, sendo o primeiro destes sem a inclusão das embarcações que se destinavam aos terminais privativos e o segundo incluindo as mesmas. Apesar de os valores não coincidirem, as análises decorrentes dos dados obtidos tanto a partir dos formulários quanto do despacho das embarcações, utilizados no segundo método com a inclusão das embarcações atracadas junto aos terminais privativos, mostraram-se coerentes e proporcionalmente semelhantes. Com a utilização do método do cálculo do deslastro estimado, o valor de deslastro obtido foi intermediário: 3.321.054 t e 1.649.459 t de lastro tomado no porto. Os dados levantados e analisados neste estudo podem servir de base para a confecção de um plano de gerenciamento da água de lastro no Porto do Rio de Janeiro, em complemento aos planos já existentes e obrigatórios utilizados na gestão dos navios. / The transference of non indigenous species in fresh, estuarine and saltwater ecosystems around the world is part of the reality. Although different mechanisms of transference are recognized, varying in space and time, ballast water global movement is the most important one. The aim of this study is to characterize Rio de Janeiro Port according to ballast water discharges. This assessment was done from two methods: the Ballast Water Reporting Forms (BWRF) and ballast water estimates from port recorders, a system developed to GloBallast Program (GloBallast method), aiming to calculate and estimate ballast water discharges upon reporting forms information or upon shipping information. Another estimating formula, proposed recently in national scientific literature, was used as well. Besides discharges information, others surveys were done, as well as frequent navigation rotes, the compliance with mid-oceanic ballast water exchanged or any ballast water treatment on board. A survey of Guanabara bay environmental conditions was proceeded, once Rio de Janeiro Port is situated in the west coast of this bay, in this assessment, non indigenous species registered in Rio de Janeiro coast, specially in Guanabara Bay were listed. The first conclusion that is possible to take, when comparing this study and former ones, is that BWRF information, in terms of quality, are better, despite the fact that the number of it still low. In terms of ballast water exchange, it was found out that it was true for all ships which came from international ports, as well as in some situations that ships werent forced to do it, as in domestic navigation, when mid water exchange is not mandatory, with few exceptions. Total discharged observed were: around 870.000 m3, almost 2 millions m3 and 4 millions m3, in the first case the result was obtained from reporting forms and the two others were estimated from GloBallast method, without and with ships which operated in private terminals (all ships). Results were, in general terms, coherent, when comparing the first method with the second one with all ships, although volumes obtained are quite different.Results obtained from brazilian estimating formula were intermediated, around 3 millions for deballast considering all ships and 1.650.000 t for ballast. The information of this study can be used as a basis for the ballast water plan of Rio de Janeiro Port, an important tool to be developed and to be used with ships ballast water plan, mandatory in Brazil, in order to avoid non indigenous species introduction.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Os fatores que explicam a distribuição observada em plantas e animais é uma pergunta que intriga naturalistas, biogeógrafos e ecólogos há mais de um século. Ainda nos primórdios da disciplina de ecologia, as tolerâncias ambientais já haviam sido apontadas como as grandes responsáveis pelo padrão observado da distribuição dos seres vivos, o que mais tarde levou à concepção de nicho ecológico das espécies. Nos últimos anos, o estudo das distribuições dos organismos ganhou grande impulso e destaque na literatura. O motivo foi a maior disponibilidade de catálogos de presença de espécies, o desenvolvimento de bancos de variáveis ambientais de todo o planeta e de ferramentas computacionais capazes de projetar mapas de distribuição potencial de um dado organismo. Estes instrumentos, coletivamente chamados de Modelos de Distribuição de Espécies (MDEs) têm sido desde então amplamente utilizados em estudos de diferentes escopos. Um deles é a avaliação de potenciais áreas suscetíveis à invasão de organismos exóticos. Este estudo tem, portanto, o objetivo de compreender, através de MDEs, os fatores subjacentes à distribuição de duas espécies de corais escleractíneos invasores nativos do Oceano Pacífico e ambas invasoras bem sucedidas de diversas partes do Oceano Atlântico, destacadamente o litoral fluminense. Os resultados mostraram que os modelos preditivos da espécie Tubastraea coccinea (LESSON, 1829), cosmopolita amplamente difundida na sua região nativa pelo Indo- Pacífico demonstraram de maneira satisfatória suas áreas de distribuição nas áreas invadidas do Atlântico. Sua distribuição está basicamente associada a regiões com alta disponibilidade de calcita e baixa produtividade fitoplanctônica. Por outro lado, a aplicação de MDEs foi incapaz de predizer a distribuição de T. tagusensis (WELLS,1982) no Atlântico. Essta espécie, ao contrário de sua congênere, tem distribuição bastante restrita em sua região nativa, o arquipélago de Galápagos. Através de análises posteriores foi possível constatar a mudança no nicho observado durante o processo de invasão. Finalmente, o sucesso preditivo para T. coccinea e o fracasso dos modelos para T. tagusensis levantam importantes questões sobre quais os aspectos ecológicos das espécies são mais favoráveis à aplicação de MDEs. Adicionalmente, lança importantes ressalvas na utilização recentemente tão difundida destas ferramentas como forma de previsão de invasões biológicas e em estudos de efeitos de alterações climáticas sobre a distribuição das espécies. / The factors underpinning the observed distribution of plants and animals across time and space are a central question in ecology and has intrigued scientists for over a century. But even back on those early times, the role of climatic tolerances of the species were recognized as one of the main explanations for such distributional patterns. Later, these assumptions gave rise to the concept of niche which triggered several advances in the study of natural history. Recently, these studies were addressed in the light of novel computational techniques capable of providing potential distributional maps for a given species, generically called Species Distribution Models (SDMs). This coupled with the broader availability of species occurrence records and of environmental data from international databases made studies with SDMs very popular and ubiquitous in the literature. One of the main uses of the SDMs approach is the assessment of potentially susceptible areas of invasion by non- indigenous species. Therefore, here we used SDMs to better understand the major factors related to the current distribution of two well established invasive scleractinian coral species in the Atlantic, both from the Pacific Ocean. The results showed that the models were successful in predicting the potentially invaded sites by the cosmopolitan Tubastraea coccinea (LESSON, 1829), broadly distributed throughout the Pacific. This species distribution was basically associated with increasing concentrations of calcite and lower levels of phytoplankton activity. However, the models were incapable of predicting the survival and establishment of T. tagusensis (WELLS, 1982) in the Atlantic. This species, unlike its congener, has a very restricted distribution in its native regions, the Galapagos Islands. A posterior analyzes indeed showed a niche shift during the invasion event of T. tagusensis in the Atlantic. Finally, the good modelling results for T. coccinea contrasted with the failure of modelling T. tagusensis invasion highlight important explanations on methodological procedures in SDMs. It also helps to better understand which ecological aspects of the species are favourable toward good modelling performance. In addition to that, these results calls for precaution when analyzing SDMs results, particularly in invasion and climate change scenarios studies.

South Africa, strategically situated at the southern tip of Africa, is edged on three sides by almost 3000 km of coastline surrounded by the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean (South African Tourism, 2011). This vast ocean expanse is responsible for conveying approximately 96% of South Africa’s exports (Brand South Africa, 2011). Despite the positive economic effects of the shipping industry, translocation of harmful organisms and pathogens via ballast water and sediments inside ballast water tanks has far reaching global environmental (and economic) impacts (Oliviera, 2008:1; David and Gollasch, 2008:1966). Ballast water is the water that is taken on in order to manage the draft of the ship, to help with propulsion, manoeuvrability, trim control, list and stability (Oliviera, 2008:2). The discharge of ballast water into the world’s oceans has resulted in the transfer of ecologically harmful sea-life into non-native environments (IMO, 2011), resulting in major environmental threats to our oceans (Bax, Williamson, Aguero, Gonzalez and Geeves, 2003:313). Various international documents have been developed to deal with the ballast water issue, culminating in the introduction of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (“the Convention”) in 2004. The Convention aims at achieving a reduction in the transfer and subsequent impacts of aquatic organisms via the ballast water and sediment of ships. On a local level, South Africa does not have direct legislation or regulations dealing with ballast water (Duncan, 2007:34) and relies on the combination of a number of pieces of legislation relating to environmental management, coastal management, biodiversity, alien invasive species control, port control and ship safety (National Environmental Management Act, 1998, National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004, National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act, 2009, National Ports Act, 2005 and Merchant Shipping Act, 1951). Although the Convention was ratified by South Africa in 2008 (Department of International Relations and Cooperation, 2011) it is still not in force and there still exists no other consolidated legal mechanism through which ballast water is managed. This research has investigated the various roles, responsibilities and mandates of South African competent authorities under the aforementioned legislation in managing ballast water, and has determined that there is definite legislative and institutional fragmentation as well as overlaps. A comparative analysis of management frameworks developed both locally and internationally was conducted in order to develop a management framework for ballast water management in South Africa. Various legislative, institutional and functional aspects were identified and adapted for inclusion in a South African management framework. A co-ordinated approach to ballast water management has been developed in the management framework which is anticipated to result in more definitive roles and responsibilities of the various South African departments involved in the management of ballast water and implementation of the Convention.

In this dissertation, methods are designed and validated for the utilization of hyperspectral hypertemporal remotely sensed data in target detection applications. Two new classes of methods are designed to optimize the selection of target detection features from spectro-temporal space data. The first method is based on the consideration that all the elements of the spectro-temporal map are independent of each other. The second method is based on the consideration that the elements of the spectro-temporal map have some vicinal dependency among them. Methods designed for these two approaches include various stepwise selection methods, windowing approaches, and clustering techniques. These techniques are compared to more traditional feature extraction methods such as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), spectral analysis, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The efficacies of the new methods are demonstrated within an aquatic invasive species detection application, namely discriminating waterhyacinth from other aquatic vegetation such as American lotus. These two aquatic plant species are chosen for testing the proposed methods as they have very similar physical characteristics and they represent a practical life target detection problem. It is observed from the overall classification accuracy estimates that the proposed feature extraction methods show a marked improvement over conventional methods. Along with improving the accuracy estimates, these methods demonstrate a capability to drastically reduce the dimensionality while retaining the desired hyperspectral hypertemporal features. Furthermore, the feature set extracted using the newly developed methods provide information about the optimum subset of the hyperspectral hypertemporal data for a specific target detection application, which makes these methods serve as tools to strategize more intelligent data collection plans.

No description available.

Aquatic invasive species are a major threat to native freshwater biodiversity. The North American signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus was introduced to Great Britain during the 1970s and is now widely distributed throughout England, Wales and Scotland. First recorded in Scotland in 1995, P. leniusculus is now established at more than twenty sites. The only other introduced crayfish species present in Scotland is the white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes. A. pallipes is restricted to only two locations in Scotland, Loch Croispol and Whitemoss Reservoir. P. leniusculus negatively impacts macrophytes, invertebrates and fish though ecological and physical processes. Additionally, P. leniusculus has displaced A. pallipes throughout much of its native range within Great Britain due to competition and disease. Consequently, the two A. pallipes populations in Scotland have a high conservation value. This PhD study aimed to improve understanding of P. leniusculus invasion success by examining trophic dynamics and to develop methodologies that could improve the detection and control of P. leniusculus populations in Scotland. Stable isotope analysis was used to determine the diet composition, trophic position and whether an ontogenetic dietary shift occurs in the Loch Ken population of P. leniusculus. Bayesian mixing models indicated that P. leniusculus in Loch Ken do exhibit an ontogenetic dietary shift. Additionally, individuals of all sizes occupied the trophic position of a predator in Loch Ken suggesting that invertebrates and fish constitute an important component of P. leniusculus diet. Stable isotope analysis was used once again to compare the isotopic niche width and diet composition of P. leniusculus populations from Loch Ken and A. pallipes populations from Loch Croispol and Whitemoss Reservoir. At the species level, A. pallipes exhibited a larger niche width than that of P. leniusculus. At the population level, the isotopic signatures of the A. pallipes populations were considerably different from each other suggesting an overestimation of A. pallipes’ niche width at species level. Results showed no dietary overlap between species and Bayesian mixing models suggested P. leniusculus and A. pallipes were consuming different resources, indicating there would be no direct competition for food resources if they were to co-occur. A plus-maze study was used to determine if P. leniusculus exhibited a preference for one of four food attractants (Oncorhynchus mykiss, P. leniusculus, beef or vegetation), which could be used to improve trapping efficiency. In the maze system, P. leniusculus exhibited no preference for any food attractant presented. This would suggest that either the maze was not a good model or food attractants would not improve trapping efficiency of P. leniusculus. Additionally, a comparative investigation into the use of gill nets as a method to control P. leniusculus was conducted. Results showed that the net type and the presence of fish entangled in the net influenced the number of P. leniusculus caught. Finally, environmental DNA (eDNA) was used and evaluated for detection of P. leniusculus. A robust quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) assay and DNA extraction protocol were developed. Using the developed qPCR assay, P. leniusculus eDNA was detected in controlled aquaria conditions but not in environmental water samples collected from the field. Furthermore, the quantities of P. leniusculus eDNA declined in aquaria conditions while individuals were still present suggesting the mechanisms for eDNA release by P. leniusculus are complex. Stable isotope analysis indicates that P. leniusculus exhibit an ontogenetic dietary shift, and in each life stage, P. leniusculus function as an omnivore but occupy the trophic position of a predator. Niche width analysis revealed that the diet of P. leniusculus was less general than that observed in A. pallipes and thus diet of P. leniusculus may not be responsible for invasive success. Food attractants will not enhance trapping efficiency but nets may present a potential new method to control P. leniusculus. Similarly, eDNA presents a promising new method for rapid detection of P. leniusculus. It will not be possible to eradicate P. leniusculus in Scotland but the findings of this PhD may help prevent establishment of new populations. These results should be incorporated into future management strategies for P. leniusculus populations in Scotland and may have broader applications in Great Britain and Europe.

Abstract not available

El objetivo de esta tesis es avanzar en el conocimiento de la dinámica ecológica de la almeja fina nativa de Europa, Ruditapes decussatus, y la almeja japonesa introducida, Ruditapes philippinarum. Se estudian aspectos relevantes de la dinámica ecológica que requerían ser investigados, tales como la expansión de almeja japonesa, la interacción competitiva, la dispersión larvaria y reclutamiento o la estimación de la talla mínima de captura. A la vez se explora la idoneidad de una metodología de muestreo para la evaluación continua de estas poblaciones en estuarios de gran extensión. Para el desarrollo de estos estudios se realizaron muestreos y experimentos de las especies objetivo en el ámbito de estudio y se llevaron a cabo los análisis de laboratorio asociados a los mismos. Además, se desarrollaron y se aplicaron modelos ecológicos predictivos. Los resultados de la tesis proveen información y herramientas para apoyar los modelos de gestión del marisqueo de las especies estudiadas tanto, en general, para los estuarios donde están presentes y son explotadas como, en particular, para la Bahía de Santander. / The objective of the thesis is to advance in the understanding of ecological dynamics of the European native grooved carpet shell clam Ruditapes decussatus and the introduced Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum. Ecologically relevant aspects requiring investigation, such as the expansion of the Manila clam, competitive interaction, larval dispersal and recruitment or suitable specific catch size have been investigated. Moreover, the suitability of a sampling methodology for the assessment of these clam populations in large estuaries have been evaluated. For this purpose, field surveys, laboratory procedures and field experiments have been conducted, together with the development and application of ecological predictive models. The results of this thesis provide information and tools to support the studied species fishery management models both in general, for the estuaries where these species dwell and exploited and, in particular, for the Bay of Santander.

Marine non-native species threaten economic and environmental health, making it crucial to understand factors that make them successful. Research on these species, therefore, allows for greater preparedness and informed management of biological invasions and increases understanding of elements structuring biological communities. Among the marine non-native species, and particularly the fouling community, non-native ascidians are a taxon of particular concern because they can crowd out native benthic species and smother mariculture products. This thesis addresses management for ascidians and other fouling organisms and includes research on the invasiveness of this taxon in addition to the invasibility of recipient fouling communities. On the West Coast of the U.S., limited efforts have been made to coordinate biofouling management across states, despite the myriad vectors increasing propagule pressure over time along coastal states. Building on recent state and local efforts, I developed a Pacific Regional Biofouling Plan for the states of Oregon and Washington to help start a consensus-driven process by which these states could create a forum for more comprehensive coordination efforts, following California's lead. As states address authority gaps, the biofouling management framework I've written is meant to be used to guide the conversation between managers as various stages of coastal management are realized. To better inform the scope and efficacy of management and regulatory efforts, the study of invasions ecology asks and aims to answer questions regarding recipient community interactions and characteristics of the non-native species themselves. Studies that identify characteristics that make ascidians successful (invasiveness) and determine the influence native communities have on their success (invasibility) are important for assessing overall risk of establishment and spread from non-native ascidians. Therefore, I aimed to: 1) explore the hypothesis that fouling communities on suspended, artificial structures are more invasible than benthic habitats; and 2) identify characteristics influencing predation patterns on the native Distaplia occidentalis versus non-native ascidian species using mensurative and experimental studies in Charleston Marina, Oregon. I conducted a series of feeding assays, surveys, and a caloric content analysis. Feeding assays were conducted with a suite of predators. The flatworm predator (Eurylepta leoparda) was found to be highly selective on the native ascidian Distaplia occidentalis, and only preyed on whole colony samples. Feeding assay data suggest that test (tunic) structure or thickness may be an influential factor affecting nudibranch (Hermissenda crassicornis) predation rates on native versus non-native ascidians, with greater predation on the native ascidian species. Non-native ascidians may escape predation in floating but not benthic environments on the Oregon coast due to their palatability characteristics, likely tunic structure and low caloric content. In this case, this suite of predators may indirectly facilitate the invasion of docks but provide at least partial resistance to the invasion of natural benthic areas. The chapters herein address gaps in management and scientific knowledge regarding non-native species of the marine fouling community. Future work enhanced by my efforts could include the development of the coastal biofouling management plan, coordinated by the Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Invasive Species Coastal Committee, and broadening the geographic and taxonomic scope of my research with a more comprehensive study of predator-prey interactions involving non-native ascidians and a diverse suite of predators. These interactions may be an important factor in explaining the success of ascidians and other fouling organisms on floating structures and lack of success on nearby benthic substrata.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Alien trees, Pinus spp. and Eucalyptus spp., affect ants negatively in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR), a global biodiversity hotspot in South Africa. They reduce ant abundance and species richness, thus also changing ant assemblage structure. This is alarming, because almost 1300 species of plant species in the CFR are dispersed by certain indigenous ants, and thus there is concern for an indirect effect on indigenous plant assemblages. One of the most impacting ant species on seed dispersal is the invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile (Mayr)), which discards seeds outside its nest, where they do not germinate. Ten sites, on Vergelegen Wine Estate, were selected to explore these effects of alien plants. These varied from invaded to non-invaded sites. Each site consisted of six sampling points, which in turn consisted of four pitfall traps left out for seven days, during December 2005, February 2006, May 2006 and September 2006. Forty species of ant were sampled, and various analyses used to illustrate the comparative effects of plant invasion. All analytical methods showed that invasive alien plants had a significant impact on the abundance and richness of the ant species assemblage, by creating a dense canopy cover that changed the abiotic environment of the epigaeic ants’ habitat. Furthermore, increased alien tree invasion correlated significantly with Argentine ant abundances. The Argentine ant displaced Pheidole capensis and Camponotus spp., while it decreased the abundances of commonly-occurring indigenous ants, such as Lepisiota capensis and Plagiolepis spp. Displacement by the Argentine ant may be a result of indirect competition for food resources. The effects of invasive aliens are synergistic in that there is a cascade effects from initial plant invasions to subsequent animal invasion. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Indringer bome, Pinus en Eucalyptus, affekteer miere op negatiewe wyse in die Kaap Florsitiese Streek (KFR), ‘n area in Suid Afrika van belang t.o.v. globale biodiversiteit. Hierdie uitheemse indringer bome verminder hulle hoeveelheid en spesies rykheid. Die bogenoemde is kommerwekkend omdat meer as 1300 plant spesies in the KFR versprei word deur miere. Die verandering in hoeveelheid en versameling van inheemse miere kan dus ernstige implikasies hê op die saad verspreiding van inheemse plant spesies. Een van die mees verwoestende effekte op saad verspreiding is veroorsaak deur die indringer Argentynse mier (Linepithema humile (Mayr)), wat sade neer werp buite hulle neste, waar hulle nie suksesvol kan ontkiem nie. Tien monsterings-tereine was geselekteer om die bogenoemde effekte te ondersoek op Vergelegen Landgoed. Hierdie het afgewissel van indringer tot skoon tereine. Elke terrein is op ses versamelings-plekke gemonster, met vier pitvalle, wat oopgelê het vir sewe dae gedurende Desember 2005, Februarie 2006, Mei 2006 en September 2006. 40 spesies van miere was gemonster. Indringer plante het ‚n betekenisvolle impak gehad het op die hoeveelheid en rykheid van die mier gemeenskappe, deur die skepping van ‚n dig baldakyn wat die abiotiese omgewing van die miere se habitat verander het. Die vermeerdering van indringer plante veroorsaak die vermeerdering van Argentyne miere. Kanonieke Mede-Respons Analise illustreer dat die Argentynse mier Pheidole capensis en Camponotus spp. verplaas het, terwyl dit ander inheemse mier getalle verminder het, soos Lepisiota capensis en Plagiolepis spp. Die verplasing deur die Argentynse mier mag die resultaat wees van indirekte wedywering vir hulpbronne. Die effekte van indringer species is dus sinergisties deur dat ‚n kaskade effek ontstaan vanaf plant tot dier indringer spesies.