Ecology & Evolution Seminar Series 2015 - Fernanda Piraud

Date: 23 April 2015 Time: 12.00 pm

Fernanda Piraud presents Effect UVB and temperature on the invasive seaweed Undaria pinnatifida

The introduction of non-indigenous species and environmental changes are both important threats to marine ecosystems. The success of invasive species has been attributed in part to their greater capacity to acclimate to changing conditions. Moreover, due to this capacity it has been suggested that invasive species would success under climate change. However, the effect of environmental factors on marine invasive species has been little studied. Environmental changes occur simultaneously and might impact marine organisms synergically or antagonistly. The goal of this study was determinate the tolerance of different life stages of the invasive brown seaweed Undaria pinnatifida to UVB and temperature. Also, the possible interactive effect of an increase of temperature and UVB on U. pinnatifida was evaluated. The results of this study show Undaria pinnatifida is affected by UVB and temperature independently. The strongest factor affecting different life stages of U. pinnatifida was UVB. The capacity of this species to recover from UVB stress depended on UVB irradiances, exposure time and life stage. This research contributed to a better understanding of the tolerance of U. pinnatifida to environmental factors. The capacity of U. pinnatifida to inhabit a wide range of light and temperature conditions permits this species to succeed in coastal ecosystems, and these characteristics could permit this species to succeed under future climate change scenarios.

undaria

For more information, please contact Dr Heiko Wittmer on Heiko.Wittmer@vuw.ac.nz