How strong is the effect of invasive ecosystem engineers on the distribution patterns of local species, the local and regional biodiversity and ecosystem functions?

Gil Rilov,Eva Chatzinikolaou,Jonne Kotta,Fabio Bulleri,Tamar Guy-Haim,Tasman Crowe,Ana M Queirós,Rebecca Mant,Lisandro Benedetti-Cecchi,Devin Lyons

doi:10.1186/2047-2382-1-10

Abstract

One of the most influential forms of biological invasions is that of invasive ecosystem engineers, species that affect other biota via alterations to the abiotic environment. Such species can have wide-reaching consequences because they alter ecosystems and essentially “change the rules of existence” for a broad suite of resident biota. They thus affect resources or stressors that affect other organisms.The objective of this systematic review will be to quantify the positive and negative impacts of invasive ecosystem engineers on ecosystem structure and functioning, and to identify factors that cause their effects to vary. We will search a number of online databases to gather empirical evidence from the literature on the impacts of invasive ecosystem engineers on: (1) species richness and other univariate and multivariate measures of biodiversity; (2) productivity and abundance of algae, and animals; and (3) biogeochemical cycling and other flows of energy and materials, including trophic interactions. Data from relevant studies will be extracted and used in a random effects meta-analysis in order to estimate the average effect size of invasive ecosystem engineers on each response of interest.

Highlights

One of the most influential forms of biological invasions is that of invasive ecosystem engineers, species that affect other biota via alterations to the abiotic environment
Invasive species have the potential to play a dominant role as ecosystem engineers and can have
Ecosystem engineers Jones et al (1994) identified two types of ecosystem engineers based on the way they alter the ecosystem: Autogenic engineers modify the environment with their own bodies which act as part of the engineered habitat and this engineering is dynamic

Summary

Methods

Evaluations will be based on whether their populations, exposures, comparators, outcomes, and study types are considered relevant according to the following criteria: Relevant populations Any ecosystems or ecosystem components affected by marine or brackish water invasive species that can be considered ecosystem engineers. The occurrence of accidents due to human activities (e.g. oil spill, nuclear wastes, organic wastes (e.g. aquaculture)) or natural extreme events (e.g. storms; run-off due to heavy rains) during the execution of the study could mask the effects of invasive species. Details of these events, if given, will be taken into account to evaluate whether a study will have to be retained or rejected. Execution - treatment independence Execution - randomisation (allocation of sampling units) Confounding variables

Background

Non-replicated