a new invasive speciesthis time an algae from the Gulf of Mexico, is beginning to invade the ecosystems of the Spanish Mediterranean, damaging both the seabed and the hulls of ships anchored in the affected areas. It is a species of the genus batophora It was first detected in Mar Menor (Murcia) in 2018 and later settled in s’Estany des Peix (Formentera, Balearic Islands), where it appears to be occupying increasingly more basal area.
S’Estany des Peix is a small seawater lagoon connected to the sea by a narrow opening, thus reminiscent of the configuration of the Mar Menor on a reduced scale. According to Diario de Ibiza of the Prensa Ibérica group, numerous pleasure boats often dock in this lagoon, The underwater part of their hooves is covered with this algae.Requires expensive maintenance work.
algae batophora “It covers most of the base, which is already covered like a layer of grass.and if you haven’t given the hull a good non-stick layer, it completely coats itself and also takes over the mooring ropes,” one of those affected told Diario de Ibiza.
This species, native to the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, may have arrived in Formentera, as with other invasive species, by involuntary transport by boat attached to the hull or propellers. Originally it occupied a small space in this sea lagoon, but A rapid and widespread spread has been seen in its depths in recent months.It is an event that raises fears that it will have serious consequences for this ecosystem located in the Ses Salines Natural Park in Ibiza and Formentera.
Damage to biodiversity
Enric Ballesteros from CSIC’s Department of Marine Ecology studied these algae and told Ràdio Illa from Formentera: batophora It could endanger native algae common in s’Estany des Peix. Caulerpa proliferation. It will “probably completely cover it,” causing death and causing the lake to “completely change.”with. But he added that in general, “all species living at shallow depths” would be affected.
For his part, Guillem Xavier Pons, professor at the Department of Geography at the University of the Balearic Islands, stated that this species, which is still very rare in the Mediterranean, “cannot yet be considered invasive.” Does not appear on the official list of invasive speciesThe Ministry of Ecological Transition is planned to make an official proposal on this issue.
About possible harmful effects it may cause batophora Where the pons has colonized, “these are being studied, but at the moment It destroys other species because it grows near them and gets its nutrients from them.and competes for light.”
It seems that the gradual warming of Mediterranean waters, especially in shallow lagoons and coasts, is making these residential areas even more dangerous. increasingly resembles tropical waters where they came from, which may herald rapid expansion.
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