Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Non-native animals in the Baltic Sea: alteration of benthic habitats in coastal inlets and lagoons

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Semi-enclosed coastal inlets are particularly interesting areas for studies on non-native species since they show steep gradients in physical environment, biological communities, pollution and intensity of human activities. Due to the ecotone effect their biota is constituted of a mixture of marine, brackish and freshwater indigenous and non-indigenous species. In comparison with offshore areas the coastal inlets seem to be better invadible, and the effects of introductions are more evident here. This paper presents results of a comparative study on non-native benthic species in the semi-enclosed water bodies of the Southern (Curonian and Vistula lagoons) and Northern Baltic (inner Archipelago Sea and Northern Quark, Gulf of Bothnia), which differ by their origin and present environment, scope of anthropogenic impact and level of euthrophication. These areas presently host at least 18 non-native benthic invertebrate species. The ecological role of these species is evaluated in terms of: (a) their relative abundance and biomass in bottom communities; (b) their 'feeding/mobility' status and their ability to alter the physical/chemical environment of the ecosystems they invaded; (c) vacancy/occupancy of the niches before these species introduced. The comparative analysis shows that the non-native species have significantly altered ecosystems of the SE Baltic coastal lagoons, while their role in the northern coastal waters still is much less important. The invadibility of different types of the Baltic coastal lagoons and inlets is discussed on the basis of the present study.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andrulewicz, E., B. Chubarenko & L. Zmudzinski, 1994. Vistula Lagoon - a troubled region with great potential. WWF Baltic Bull. 1: 16–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aristova, G. I., 1965. Benthos of the Kurskij Gulf. Proc. AtlantNIIRO, Kaliningrad, 14: 19–39 (in Russian).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bochert, R., M. L. Zettler & A. Bochert, 1996. Variation in the reproductive status, larval occurrence and recruitment in an estuarine population of Marenzelleria viridis (Polychaeta: Spionidae). Mar. Biol. 123: 763–773.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonsdorff, E. & E. M. Blomqvist, 1993. Biotic couplings on shallow water soft-bottoms - examples from the northern Baltic Sea. Oceanogr. Mar. Biol. Annu. Rev. 31: 153–176.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlton, J. T., 1996. Pattern, process, and prediction in marine invasion biology. Biol. Cons. 78: 97–106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chubarenko, B., 1996. 'Prioritising Hot Spot remediation in the Vistula Lagoon', a Danish-Polish-Russian Project. Oral presentation at 5th seminar of European Marine Interdisciplinary Network, 11–14 January 1996, Klaipėda, Lithuania.

  • Dauer, D. M., R. M. Ewing, J. W. Sourbeer, W. T. Harlan & T. L. Stokes, 1982. Nocturnal swimming of Scolecolepides viridis (Polychaeta: Spionidae). Estuaries 3: 148–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daunys, D., 1997. Ecology of the polychaete Marenzelleria viridis Verrill 1877 (Spionidae, Annelida) in the shallow habitats of the Lithuanian coastal zone, Baltic Sea. MSc Thesis. Klaipėda University: 1–47.

  • Di Castri, F., 1990. On invading species and invaded ecosystems: the interplay of historical chance and biological necessity. In A. J. Hansen & M. Debussche (eds), Biological invasions in Europe and the Mediterranean Basin. Di Castri, F.Monographiae Biologicae 65, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht: 3–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Essink, K., H. L. Kleef & W. Visser, 1989. On the pelagic occurrence and dispersal of the benthic amphipod Corophium volutator. J. mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 69: 11–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ezova, E. & G. Tsybaleva, 1996. Hydrobiological monitoring of the Vistula Lagoon in 1996. In: Paka, V. T. & Chubarenko B.V. (eds), Scientific report. P. P. Shirshov Inst. Oceanology, Atlantic Branch, v. 3, part 3. Kaliningrad (in Russian).

  • Fall, A., 1993. Macrozoobenthos of the Vistula Lagoon. M.Sc. Thesis. Gdansk University: 1–73 (in Polish).

  • Fauchald, K. & P. Jumars, 1979. The diet of worms: a study of polychaete feeding guilds. Oceanogr. Mar. Biol. Annu. Rev. 17: 193–284.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gasiunas, I., 1959. Forage macrozoobenthos of the Kurshiu marios. In: Kurshiu marios. Mintis Press, Vilnius: 191–292 (in Russian).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gasiunas I., 1963. The acclimatization of forage crustaceans into the Kaunas Waterpower Plant Reservoir and the possibility of their migration into another waters of Lithuania. Proc. Lithuanian SSR B 1: 79–85 (in Russian).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gollasch, S., 1996. Untersuchungen des Arteintrages durch den internationalen Schiffsverkehr unter besonderer Berücksichtigung nichtheimischer Arten. PhD Thesis. Hamburg University: 210 pp.

  • Gudelis, V. & O. Pustelnikov (eds), 1983. Biogeochemistry of the Kurshiu Marios Lagoon. Academy of Sciences of Lithuanian SSR, Department of Geography. Vilnius. 159 pp. (in Russian with English summary).

    Google Scholar 

  • Håkansson, B., P. Alenius & L. Brydsten, 1996. Physical environment in the Gulf of Bothnia. Ambio Spec. Rep. 8: 5–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herbold, B. & P. B. Moyle, 1986. Introduced species and vacant niches. Am. Nat. 128: 751–761.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jansson, K., 1994. Alien species in the marine environment. Introductions to the Baltic Sea and the Swedish west coast. Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Rep. 4357: 1–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Järvekülg, A., 1979. Bottom fauna of the eastern part of the Baltic Sea. Valgus, Tallinn: 1–382 (in Russian).

  • Jumppanen, K. & J. Mattila, 1994. The development of the state of the Archipelago Sea and environmental factors affecting it. Lounais-Suomen vesiensuojeluyhd. Julk. 82: 1–206 (in Finnish with English summary).

    Google Scholar 

  • Jumppanen, K. & R. Räisänen, 1996. Survey of zoobenthos and sediments off Rauma. Lounais-Suomen vesiensuojeluyhd (Mimeo) 1–36 (in Finnish).

  • Kalejs, M. & R. Tamsalu, 1984. The salinity regime of the Baltic Sea. In Gershanovich, D. (Ed.), Essays on the Baltic Sea Biological Productivity. T.1. Moscow: 33–51 (in Russian).

  • Krylova, O., 1985. Functioning of plankton and benthos of the Curonian and Vistula Gulfs of the Baltic Sea in relation to the ecological differences between them. Ph.D. Thesis. AtlantNIIRO, Kaliningrad: 1–224 (in Russian).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kublickas, A. & A. Bubinas, 1985. The effect of acclimatized crustaceans on the fish nutrition in the littoral zone of the Kurshiu Marios Lagoon. Acta Hydrobiol. Lithuanica 5: 80–85 (in Russian with English summary).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuparinen, J., K. Leonardsson, J. Mattila & J. Wikner, 1996. Food web structure and function in the Gulf of Bothnia, the Baltic Sea. Ambio Spec. Rep. 8: 13–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, H. & R. C. Swartz, 1980. Biological processes affecting the distribution of pollutants in marine sediments. Part II. Biodeposition and Bioturbation. In: Baker, R.A. (ed.), Contaminants and Sediments. Vol. 2. Ann Arbor Science Publ., Ann Arbor, MI: 555–606.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leppäkoski, E., 1975. Assessment of degree of pollution on the basis of macrozoobenthos in marine and brackish-water environments. Acta Acad. Aboensis Ser. B 35: 1–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leppäkoski, E., 1984. Introduced species in the Baltic Sea and its coastal ecosystems. Ophelia Suppl. 3: 123–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leppäkoski, E., 1991. Introduced species - resource or threat in brackish-water seas? Examples from the Baltic and the Black Sea. Mar. Poll. Bull. 23: 219–223.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leppäkoski, E., 1994. Non-indigenous species in the Baltic Sea. In Boudouresque, C. F., F. Briand & C. Nolan (eds), Introduced species in European coastal waters. European Commission, Ecosyst. Res. Rep 8: 67–75.

  • Leppäkoski, E. & E. Bonsdorff, 1989. Ecosystem variability and gradients. Examples from the Baltic Sea as a background for hazard assessment. In Landner, L. (ed.), Chemicals in the Aquatic Environment. Advanced Hazard Assessment. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg: 6–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leppäkoski, E. & P. E. Mihnea, 1996. Enclosed seas under maninduced change: A comparison between the Baltic and Black Seas. Ambio 25: 380–389.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lodge, D. M., 1993. Biological invasions: lessons for ecology. TREE 8: 133–137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lomnievski K., W. Mankowski & J. Zaleski, 1975. Baltic Sea. Warszawa. Panstwowe Wydawnictwo Naukowe (in Polish).

    Google Scholar 

  • Norkko, A., E. Bonsdorff & C. Boström 1993. Observations of the polychaete Marenzelleria viridis (Verrill) on a shallow sandy bottom on the south coast of Finland. Memoranda Soc. Fauna Flora Fenn. 69: 112–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nyman, C., 1991. Evaluation of biological monitoring studies in the sea area off Jakobstad. Mimeo 1–32 (in Swedish).

  • Olenin, S., 1987. Zoobenthos of the Kurshskij Gulf: results of biological monitoring, 1980–1984. In Chemistry and Biology of Seas. Proc. State Oceanographic Institute. Moscow, Hydrometeoizdat: 175–191 (in Russian).

    Google Scholar 

  • Olenin, S., 1990. Life forms of the benthic invertebrates in the eastern part of the Baltic Sea. PhD Thesis, A.N. Severtzcov Institute of Animal Evolutionary Morphology and Ecology of the USSR Acad. Sci., Moscow. 1–180 (in Russian).

    Google Scholar 

  • Olenin, S., 1997a. Comparative community study of the southeastern Baltic coastal zone and the Curonian Lagoon. In Andrushaitis, A. (ed.), 13th Baltic Mar. Biol. Symposium. Aug. 31-Sept. 4, 1993. Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Latvia, Riga: 153–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olenin, S., 1997b. Benthic zonation of the Eastern Gotland Basin, Baltic Sea. Neth. J. Aquat. Ecol. 30: 265–282.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Olenina, I., 1997. Phytoplankton of the Kurshiu Marios Lagoon and the south-eastern Baltic coastal zone. Summary of Ph.D. Thesis. Institute of Botany, Vilnius: 1–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olenina, I. & R. Kavolyt?e, 1994. Species composition, abundance and chloropyll 'a' concentration of phytoplankton in the Curonian Lagoon in 1992. Proc. Klaipėda Univ. Nat. Math. Sci. (C) 1: 176–187 (in Lithuanian with English summary).

    Google Scholar 

  • Petersen, K. S., K. L. Rasmussen, J. Heinemeier & N. Rud, 1992. Clams before Columbus? Nature 359: 679.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pitkänen, H., 1994. Surface distribution of total phosphorus and total nitrogen in the Finnish coastal waters in 1979–1983. Publ. Water Res. Inst. Natl. Bd Wat. Finland 68: 40–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Povilanskas, R. & G. Rascius, 1994. Recovery possible for still rich Curonian Lagoon. WWF Baltic Bull. 1: 12–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Radziejewska, T., 1986. On the role of Mytilus edulis aggregations in enhancing meiofauna communities off the southern Baltic coast. Ophelia Suppl. 4: 211–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rainys, A. (ed.), 1978. Kurshu-Marios. II. Hydrological regime. Vilnius, Mokslas (in Lithuanian).

  • Räisänen, R., 1997. Investigations of bottom fauna in Turku sea area in 1995. Lounais-Suomen vesiensuojeluyhd. Tutkimusselost. 119: 1–50 (in Finnish).

    Google Scholar 

  • Razinkovas, A., 1990. Production processes in the opossum shrimps populations of water basins of the river Nemunas basin. PhD Thesis. Institute of Zoology, Minsk: 1–26 (in Russian).

    Google Scholar 

  • Razinkovas A., 1997. Spatial distribution and migration patterns of the mysids in the Curonian Lagoon. In Andrushaitis, A. (ed.), 13th Baltic Mar. Biol. Symposium. Aug. 31-Sept. 4, 1993. Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Latvia, Riga: 117–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salemaa, H. & V. Hietalahti, 1993. Hemimysis anomala G. O. Sars (Crustacea: Mysidacea) - immigration of a Ponto-Caspian mysid into the Baltic Sea. Ann. Zool. Fenn. 30: 271–276.

    Google Scholar 

  • Segerstråle, S. G., 1957. On the immigration of the glacial relicts of the Northern Europe. Comment. Biol. Soc. Sci. Fenn. 16: 1–117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stankevicius, A., (ed.), 1995. Annual report of scientific work. Klaipėda, Center of Marine Research: 1–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vuorinen, I., P. Laihonen & E. Litezen, 1986. Distribution and abundance of invertebrates causing fouling in power plants on the Finnish coast. Memoranda Soc. Fauna Flora Fenn. 62: 123–125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zettler, M.L. & A. Bick, 1996. The analysis of small-and mesoscale dispersion patterns of Marenzelleria viridis (Polychaeta: Spionidae) in a coastal water area of the southern Baltic. Helgoländer Meeresunters. 50: 265–286.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zmudzinski, L., 1957. Zoobenthos of the Vistula Lagoon. Prace MIR w Gdyne 9 (in Polish).

  • Zmudzinski, L., 1996. The effect of the introduction of the American species Marenzelleria viridis (Polychaeta: Spionidae) on the benthic ecosystem of Vistula Lagoon. Mar. Ecol. 17: 221–226.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Coastal Research and Planning Institute, Klaipėda University, Manto 84, LT-5808, Klaipėda, Lithuania

    Sergej Olenin

  2. Department of Biology, Åbo Akademi University, BioCity, FIN-20520, Turku/Åbo, Finland

    Erkki Leppäkoski

Authors
  1. Sergej Olenin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Erkki Leppäkoski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Olenin, S., Leppäkoski, E. Non-native animals in the Baltic Sea: alteration of benthic habitats in coastal inlets and lagoons. Hydrobiologia 393, 233–243 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003511003766

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003511003766

Search

Navigation