2005-2006 Harries et al. Isle of Cumbrae Sargassum muticum records

The invasive alga Sargassum muticum has recently been reported in the Firth of Lorn, west coast of Scotland. This represents the first sighting of the species north of the Kintyre Peninsula, a land barrier that had been expected to slow the northwards spread of S. muticum. This paper presents a thorough review of literature concerning the dispersal and establishment of this invasive alga and predicts potential dispersal trajectories and likely areas for future establishment in Scotland. From previous dispersal rates, S. muticum is likely to spread throughout the west coast of Scotland in the next few years, predominantly via natural pathways although anthropogenic vectors may also contribute to dispersal. Sheltered and moderately exposed sea lochs and shorelines, on the west coast of Scotland in particular, are likely to provide favourable conditions for the establishment of persistent populations of S. muticum. Conditions on the north and east coasts of Scotland were considered less favourable, both for the dispersal and establishment of S. muticum. The spread of S. muticum is unlikely to cause serious widespread ecological impacts, however, it does have the potential to cause economic damage to the aquaculture industry which is a major employer on the west coast of Scotland. The establishment of dense highly visible canopies would also constitute a degradation of the natural heritage value of Scottish shorelines. It would be prudent to investigate means of preventing persistent populations from establishing in areas of economic importance or with high natural heritage value.近期有报道称，苏格兰西海岸洛恩湾（Firth of Lorn）发现了入侵性藻类钝顶马尾藻（Sargassum muticum）。这是该物种在金泰尔半岛（Kintyre Peninsula）以北的首次记录——金泰尔半岛作为天然地理屏障，此前被认为可延缓钝顶马尾藻向北扩散。本研究对该入侵藻类的扩散与定殖相关文献进行了全面综述，并预测了其在苏格兰境内的潜在扩散路径与未来可能的定殖区域。基于既往扩散速率，钝顶马尾藻有望在未来数年内遍布苏格兰西海岸，其扩散主要以自然途径为主，尽管人为传播媒介也可能助力其扩散。苏格兰西海岸的遮蔽型与中等暴露型海湖（sea lochs）及岸线，将为钝顶马尾藻建立持久种群提供适宜生境。相较而言，苏格兰北海岸与东海岸的环境条件，均不利于该物种的扩散与定殖。钝顶马尾藻的扩散虽不太可能造成大范围严重生态影响，但仍有可能对水产养殖业造成经济损失——水产养殖是苏格兰西海岸的核心就业产业之一。密集且醒目的藻床一旦形成，还会降低苏格兰岸线的自然遗产价值。故而，针对在经济重要区域或高自然遗产价值区域阻止钝顶马尾藻建立持久种群的防控手段开展研究，实属审慎之举。