A 3D individual-based aquatic transport model for the assessment of the potential dispersal of planktonic larvae of an invasive bivalve

• Published in: Journal of environmental management Vol. 145; pp. 330 - 340
• Main Authors: Hoyer, Andrea B., Wittmann, Marion E., Chandra, Sudeep, Schladow, S. Geoffrey, Rueda, Francisco J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2014; Elsevier; Academic Press Ltd
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal Distribution; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied ecology; Aquatic ecosystems; Biological and medical sciences; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Corbicula - growth & development; Corbicula - physiology; Dispersal; Ecosystem; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Fresh water ecosystems; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Individual-based transport model; Invasive species; Invertebrates; Lake currents; Lakes; Larva - growth & development; Larva - physiology; Local dispersal; Models, Biological; Mollusca; Mollusks; Parks, reserves, wildlife conservation. Endangered species: population survey and restocking; Plankton; Plankton - growth & development; Plankton - physiology; Planktonic larvae transport; Population Density; Probability; Probability of colonization; Synecology; Ultraviolet radiation; United States; Wind; United States; Lake Tahoe; Individual-based transport model; Probability of colonization; Invasive species; Local dispersal; Lake currents; Planktonic larvae transport; Biological invasion; Individual based model; Environmental management; Dispersion; Freshwater environment; Larva; Plankton; Bivalvia; Lakes; Invertebrata; Mollusca; Environmental monitoring; Transport; Colonization; Environmental protection
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.05.011

The unwanted impacts of non-indigenous species have become one of the major ecological and economic threats to aquatic ecosystems worldwide. Assessing the potential dispersal and colonization of non-indigenous species is necessary to prevent or reduce deleterious effects that may lead to ecosystem degradation and a range of economic impacts. A three dimensional (3D) numerical model has been developed to evaluate the local dispersal of the planktonic larvae of an invasive bivalve, Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea), by passive hydraulic transport in Lake Tahoe, USA. The probability of dispersal of Asian clam larvae from the existing high density populations to novel habitats is determined by the magnitude and timing of strong wind events. The probability of colonization of new near-shore areas outside the existing beds is low, but sensitive to the larvae settling velocity ws. High larvae mortality was observed due to settling in unsuitable deep habitats. The impact of UV-radiation during the pelagic stages, on the Asian clam mortality was low. This work provides a quantification of the number of propagules that may be successfully transported as a result of natural processes and in function of population size. The knowledge and understanding of the relative contribution of different dispersal pathways, may directly inform decision-making and resource allocation associated with invasive species management. •We developed a numerical model to analyze the passive dispersal of planktonic larvae.•Strong persistent winds induce larvae entrainment and transport.•The probability of larvae dispersal is highest during strong meteorological forcing.•The colonization success largely depends on settling in suitable habitat.•Species dispersal and colonization are highly sensitive to the settling velocity.