Abstract
Tubastraea tagusensis and T. coccinea (Scleractinia: Dendrophylliidae) are two corals that have invaded and impacted the southwest Atlantic since the 1980s. Here, we investigated experimentally the use of plastic and raffia sheets, simulating the use of wraps, as an effective method to kill the invasive corals. We showed that by seven days all polyps of the invasive corals were dead in both treatments, probably from lack of oxygen, food and/or due to physical attrition with the wraps. Tubastraea tagusensis was more resistant than T. coccinea, probably due to its different form. The use of plastic sheets was found to be more efficient for killing but raffia was easier to manipulate underwater and allowed an extended period for decomposition of the corals tissues. The use of wraps was demonstrated to be an efficient way of killing and may be added to the management toolbox for the control and eradication of Tubastraea spp. along with fresh water treatment and manual removal.
Highlights
Biological invasions are increasing in frequency and continue to cause unwanted effects to ecological and economic systems (Simberloff et al 2013)
We suggest that regional control of biological invasions can be successful, and requires collective effort by all affected resource managers and stakeholders
We present the history of AIS management and policy development and describe the use of an “implementation plan” as a sciencebased, decision-support tool for on-the-ground aquatic invasive species control actions
Summary
Biological invasions are increasing in frequency and continue to cause unwanted effects to ecological and economic systems (Simberloff et al 2013). Despite the utility this regional AIS management plan provided, Tahoe Basin managers tasked with control or removal of AIS remained burdened with uncertainty about which taxa and locations to prioritize their control efforts. Through the recent development of a comprehensive AIS control strategy in Tahoe, including regional level programming and localized implementation plan, we provide the following recommendations for natural resource managers and invasion scientists who are faced with the creation of a sustainable AIS control program. We believe these recommendations are applicable to multiple aquatic ecosystem types with various management and stakeholder infrastructures. These recommendations should be relevant to those systems in which the lake, reservoir, or other waterbody is multi-use (e.g., drinking water supply, recreational, commercial), and where there are a diverse group of stakeholders ranging from water purveyors, local users, visitors, conservationists, and those with commercial or residential interests
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
