The Baltic—a sea of invaders

• DOI: 10.1139/f02-089
• Publication Date: 2002-10-01T20:05:45Z
• Authors: Erkki Leppäkoski; Stephan Gollasch; Piotr Gruszka; Henn Ojaveer; Sergej Olenin; Vadim Panov
• Keywords: Dreissena; Zebra mussel

There are about 100 nonindigenous species recorded in the Baltic Sea. Invasive have resulted major changes nearshore ecosystems, especially coastal lagoons and inlets that can be identified as "centres of xenodiversity". Fewer than 70 these established reproducing populations. Dominant invasion vectors include unintentional introductions via ballast water, tank sediments, hull fouling, aquaculture, construction canals facilitated active or passive natural dispersal. Of approximately 60 unintentionally introduced with a known history, 38 transoceanic (including 19 Atlantic American origin) 18 Ponto-Caspian origin. Species caused economic damage to fisheries, shipping, industry hydrozoan Cordylophora caspia, barnacle Balanus improvisus, cladoceran Cercopagis pengoi, bivalve Dreissena polymorpha. The Sea has served secondary source North Great Lakes. Further study is warranted quantify large-scale ecosystem associated establishment population growth prevent future invasions.