Mnemiopsis leidyi Ecology, Modelling and Observation

Worrying history

SPATIO-TEMPORAL

DISTRIBUTION

What? European crossborder research within the Interreg IVA 2 Seas Programme

Who? 5 scientific research institutes

ILVO (BE)/Ifremer & Université du Littoral côte d’Opale (FR)/Cefas (UK)/Deltares(NL)

Why? Knowledge on identification, biology and physiology of the comb jelly M. leidyi

Assessment of attendance, behavior and impact monitoring in the North Sea

Models to assess the ecological and economic impact of M. leidyi in the 2 Seas region

MEMO

• Standard protocols :

sampling and preservation

genetic identification

• Sampling campaigns

• Distribution maps & habitat

model

BIOLOGY, PHYSIOLOGY AND

FEEDING BEHAVIOUR

• Laboratory experiments:

reproduction

feeding activities

stable isotopes

• Model on prey-predator

interactions

• Life cycle model

ECOLOGICAL AND SOCIO-

ECONOMIC IMPACT

• Plankton ecosystem model

• Socio-economic model

• Industrial impact of M. leidyi

• Ecological impact of M. leidyi

• Economic impact of M. leidyi

• Mitigation measures

Background picture: ©Karl Van Ginderdeuren - ILVO

BalticSea

2006

Mediterranean Sea

Anchovies /Mnemiopsis in Black Sea

(Kideys et al.,2000)

1980 Dates of reportsMain sea transport routes

How the sea wallnutMnemiopsis leidyi

is spreading throughEuropean seas

© J.M. Brylinski (ULCO-LOG) ; Modified from Reusch et al. (2011)

©Lies Vansteenbrugge - ILVO © ILVO ©David Vuylsteke - ILVO ©Lodewijk van Walraven ©Jolly Jumper

More info: www.ilvo.vlaanderen.be/memo