Biological Invasions of Cold-Water Coastal Ecosystems - Aquatic ...

Chapt 9C4. Peracaridan Crustaceans, page 9C4- 22
appear to be associated with ballast water as a means of introduction, these species are abundant
and wide spread. If introduced, they are proof that even a few NIS invaders of Alaskan estuaries
can increase to ecologically catastrophic densities. Moreover surveys of NIS diversity, such as
this one, are an insufficient for estimating ecological risks if these species are introduced. Due to
the potential for a single species to produce massive impacts, conclusions of risk from global
patterns of diversity of diversity and climate therefore could conflict with conclusions of risk
based on presence of even a single NIS in a system. The occurrence of 5 NIS species of
amphipods in segregated ballast water of tankers discharging into Port Valdez indicates that this
is an active mechanism of transport introduding NIS arriving to Prince William Sound, even
though none of these species appears to have become established yet.
Acknowledgments
James Carlton, Williams College, Maritime Studies Program provided many inspirations
leading to this project, pointing out problems and providing solutions. Todd Miller read an early
draft of this manuscript. Robert Malouf and Jan Auyong, NOAA Oregon State University Sea
Grant College Program; and Leon Cammen, NOAA National Sea Grant College Program and
the Oregon State legislature for assistance with in kind and direct financial support from Grants
NA0061RD09 and NA0061RD19; Patrick Clinton and Bryan Coleman, OAO, and Walter
Nelson, US EPA, Coastal Ecology Branch, Newport, Oregon for technical assistance and
facilities use. The Prince William Sound survey was greatly assisted by Joel Kopp and Robert
Benda, Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council of Prince William Sound (RCAC), Nora Foster,
Howard Feder and Mike Stekoll, University of Alaska; Anson Hines, Greg Ruiz and George
Smith, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center; Gary Sonnevil, US Fish and Wildlife
Service; the personnel of the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company and Valdez Marine; Todd
Miller and Gayle Hansen, Oregon State University, Milos Falta, owner, and Capt. Richard
Vodica of the “Kristina”, Steve Totemov and Gary Kompkoff, of Tatitlek and Gail Irvine of the
USGS, Anchorage. The Puget Sound survey was funded by the United States Department of
Natural Resources, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources through Helen Berry
and Betty Bookheim and facilities were provided by the University of Washington (UW),
Western Washington State University (WWU), organized by Claudia Mills, (UW) and Andrew
Cohen, San Francisco Estuary Institute, participants included Brian Bingham,, James Carlton,
Leslie Harris, L.A. County Museum, Alan Kohn, UW, Terry Klinger, Charles and Gretchen
Lambert, Kevin Li, David Secord, WWU, Jason Toft, UW and Marjorie Wonham, UW. The
San Francisco Bay survey was funded through grants from the USFWS, Oregon Sea Grant and
PEW travel funds to James Carlton and organized by Andrew Cohen and James Carlton.
Participants included Claudia Mills, Leslie Harris, John Holliman, Gretchen Lambert, Jan
Thompson, USGS, Menlo Park, Terry Gosliner, California Academy of Sciences, Jeff Crooks,
U.C. San Diego.
References
http://www.cdc.noaa.gov/ 1998. Sea surface temperature and precipitation data. NOAA-CIRES
Climate Diagnostics Center, Boulder Colorado.