Publications by authors named "Monica McCard"
Recent accumulation of evidence across taxa indicates that the ecological impacts of invasive alien species are predictable from their functional response (FR; e.g. the maximum feeding rate) and functional response ratio (FRR; the FR attack rate divided by handling time).
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- Interactions between invasive species can enhance their ecological impact, yet there is limited research on how these relationships affect aquatic invasive alien species (IAS).
- This study examines the interaction between the predatory round goby fish and the invasive Asian clam, focusing on how habitat complexity, provided by clam shells, influences the goby's feeding behavior compared to a native fish species.
- Results indicate that while habitat complexity affects predation rates, the round goby shows a higher feeding efficiency with increased shell density, suggesting a facilitative interaction that could contribute to its ecological success in invaded environments.
Article Synopsis
- Climate change effects, particularly deoxygenation of aquatic environments, significantly impact the ecological dynamics between invasive alien species (IAS) like the round goby and native species such as the bullhead.
- The study found that low oxygen levels lead to higher feeding rates in the invasive species compared to the native fish, which can destabilize ecological balances and exacerbate the decline of native populations.
- Results show that the Relative Total Impact Potential (RTIP) of the invasive fish is notably higher at low oxygen levels, especially during stages of invasion, suggesting a dual threat from both climate stressors and invasive species on native ecosystems.