Our research
Through field monitoring, controlled experiments, and ecological modeling, X-IAS seeks to predict how these interactions will evolve under global change scenarios such as rising temperatures and habitat alteration.
WP1. Monitoring program of the food web
WP1 aim is to reveal the effects of target invasive alien species (IAS) on the food-web processes to better understand the response of Minho estuary to the co-invasion of Corbicula fluminea, Egeria densa and Lepomis gibbosus. To this end, a one-year monitoring program of the abundance of target IAS (C. fluminea, E. densa and L. gibbosus) and food-web attributes (phyto and zooplankton, macroinvertebrates and fishes) will be conducted to better characterize the food web and consequently multiple IAS influence.
WP2. Characterization of the IAS position in the food web
The aim of WP2 is to determine the position of the selected IAS in the food web using stable isotope analysis. To this end, a one-year monitoring program, with one sampling in the end of the winter (to characterize the end of high river discharge periods) and one sampling in the end of summer (to characterize low river discharge conditions) will be conducted.
WP3. Mesocosm experiments to assess the potential interactions of the selected IAS
The aim of WP3 is to design an analytical framework and set up mesocosms experiments to directly assess the potential of a synergistic invasional meltdown hypothesis (IMH) among different combinations of the IAS. Mesocosms will be set up in a factorial design with all possible combinations of the selected invasive species, plus a control (C) treatment that will represent a simplified biota of the native community.
WP4. Modelling the interaction between the species
WP4 aims to determine how single and multiple IAS impact the food-web processes in the selected study area. An ecosystem-level model will be developed to assess the impact of multiple IAS on the ecological attributes of the Minho estuary. The information collected both in the field (T1 and T2) and in the laboratory (T3), complemented by data from the literature, will serve as a basis for the model that will enable to evaluate isolate and combined influence of the selected IAS in the study area.
WP5. Dissemination and data management
WP5 aims to organize dissemination activities and provide procedures for data management. One of the aims of WP5 is to carry out communication activities conducted with CIIMAR's scientific outreach programs, focusing on academic/stakeholders with participation in conferences, science policy events and seminars. WP5 aims also to develop a strategy for data quality, storage, backup and preservation (with a commitment to preserve the raw data) during the project and in the long term. Data sharing will follow the FAIR guiding principles and all data produced will be publicly accessible and stored in open repositories to ensure long-term preservation.
WP6. Project management
WP6 is aims to provide the day-to-day coordination, monitoring and reporting of research progress, communication strategy and consolidation of project´ elements and deliverables. WP6 will provide detailed planning for the working packages (WPs) and actions required to assure the deliverables of the project.