An insight into the temporal and spatial dimension of the invasion process

TEMPOINVASIONS project

TEMPOINVASIONS is a European Union financed project that aims to study the evolution of marine biological invasions. In this pioneering study the temporal and spatial dynamics of marine invasive species in different European localities will be studied, using NGS techniques to detect environmental DNA. To develop this research, sediment samples will be obtained from marine coastal areas and also samples of surrounding sea water. To know the age of the sediments and to be able to reconstruct the temporal dynamics, the sedimentary sequences will be dated using Carbon 14 and/or Pb-210. This chronology will make it possible to date the introductions and identify environmental and ecological changes over time.

Founding Body

Introduction

Is there an issue? Are there any damages?

The answer is yes! NIS can affect other ecosystems, damaging the surveillance of autochthonous species and also damaging the ropes and fisherman grants. Ships arriving from other countries carry out NIS in the hull or ballast water, which is the main cause of the introduction of marine bentonics NIS.

Non-indigenous species (NIS) are those species introduced outside their natural past or present range which might survive and reproduce. In a maritime context, NIS have been transported all over the world from the beginning of the vessel's voyage (~3000yr ago) and also due to the dispersion through ocean currents..

Objectives:

Reconstructing the temporal evolution of coastal communities affected by invasive species.

Determine adaptation, resilience or extinction between populations over time by comparing genetic metabarcoding and metagenomic data with paleogeochemical data.