Distribution and reproductive characteristics of nonindigenous and invasive marine algae in the Hawaiian Islands
Smith JE, Hunter CL, Smith CM. 2002. Distribution and reproductive characteristics of nonindigenous and invasive marine algae in the Hawaiian Islands. Pacific Science. 56(3):299-315
"Quantitative and qualitative surveys were conducted on five of the main Hawaiian Islands to determine the current distribution of nonindigenous algae and to assess the level of impact that these algal species pose to Hawaii's marine ecosystems. Maps were generated to examine the spread of these organisms from initial sites of introduction and to assimilate information regarding habitat characteristics that appear to make some sites more susceptible to invasion than others. Blooms of native invasive algae were also documented when encountered. The potential for vegetative propogation via fragmentation was examined experimentally as a mode of reporduction for four of the most common species of nonindigenous algae in Hawaii. This research has demonstarted that each of these algal species currently has a distinctive distribution and reproductive startegies appear to vary among species. More research is needed to furtehr understand the competitive strategies and unique ecological characteristics that allow these nonindigenous species to become highly successful in the Hawaiian Islands... The goals of this study were to determine the distribution, relative abundance and reproductive characteristics of the five most successful nonindigenous algae in the main Hawaiian Islands and to document other invasive species blooms when encountered."
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Smith, Jennifer; Hunter, Cynthia; Smith, Celia
- Units
- KAHO , PACN , PUHE
- Keywords
- Acanthophora spicifera, Algae, Alien Species, ALKA, Avrainvillea amadelpha, Coastal-Marine Systems, Distribution, Eucheuma sp., Gracilaria salicornia, Hawaii, Hypnea musciformis, Invasive Species, Kahoolawe, Kappaphycus spp., Kauai, Lanai, Marine, Maui, Molokai, Oahu