Modelled dispersal pathways of non-indigenous species in the Danish Wadden Sea

Abstract

The introduction-rate of non-indigenous species (NIS) to coastal water bodies has accelerated over the last century. We present a model study assessing the fate of NIS released in likely point sources of the Danish Wadden Sea. We show that NIS-particles released in the deep North Sea are generally transported away from the Wadden Sea, while those released in the coastal North Sea and the Wadden Sea show large variability in track pattern and settlement location. Consequently, the introduction of NIS from ships entering the port of Esbjerg pose a threat to the Wadden Sea through primary and secondary spreading, while transport of species from sources in the south likely causes a slow and steady settling of NIS in the Wadden Sea and coastal North Sea. The study points to the importance of enforcing an efficient monitoring system to ensure early detection of changes to the species composition of the Wadden Sea.