Cádiz, (EFE).- A new investigation by the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO), in collaboration with the University of Málaga, has discovered large amounts of thallus detached from the invasive alga Rugulopteryx okamurae along the seabed of the Gulf of Cádiz, which poses “a great threat to the deep marine ecosystems” of this area of the Andalusian coast.
In a statement from the IEO, which summarizes part of the conclusions published in the journal “Phycologia”, it is detailed that these thallus detached from the invasive algae are dragging from the shores of the Strait of Gibraltar. Towards the deepest areas of the Gulf through the Mediterranean outlet current, up to 1,141 meters deep.
Laboratory experiments have shown that the macroalgae collected from the seabed were alive and well. “Which suggests an enormous capacity for resistance and invasive potential.”
Invasive algae from the western Pacific to Cádiz
The invasive alga Rugulopteryx okamurae has recently arrived in Europe from the western Pacific. And it is causing a great impact on the coasts of the Gulf of Cádiz, the Strait of Gibraltar and the Alborán Sea, according to this study. Because, currently, it is very common to find large accumulations on the Andalusian coast. That can form immense brown blankets along the beach line.
These remains come from the seabed where this alga lives. Since when these thallus break off they are dragged by tides and currents towards accumulation zones. Where they generate a negative impact on local habitats and ecosystems.
The remains not only have their destination on beaches and shallow bottoms, but also dragged into deep areas. Forming huge ridges and affecting deep habitats.
The work, recently published in the journal Phycologia, warns of “the great threat that this poses to the deep marine ecosystems of the Gulf of Cádiz.”
Measures to mitigate the impact
Faced with this situation, the authors of the study call for the monitoring and control of invasive species in the marine ecosystems of the Gulf of Cádiz and highlight the need to adopt effective measures to mitigate their negative impacts in the area.
“In short, the article highlights the importance of protecting both shallow and deep marine ecosystems in the Gulf of Cádiz and maintaining their health and biodiversity,” concludes Ángel Mateo, first author of the study.
The study has been carried out thanks to the INPULSE (CTM2016-75129-C3-1-R), INTEMARES and ESMARES-2 projects (coordinated by the Biodiversity Foundation), co-financed by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge and the LIFE program of the European Union. EFE