Extreme storms could limit the expansion of the invasive species Caulerpa cylindracea on rocky shores
Published:
May 22, 2026
Keywords:
invasion ecology climate change extreme events coastal ecology alien species storm
Abstract
Invasive species constitute a major environmental concern worldwide and extreme events, favoured by climate change, are expected to enhance their invasiveness. However, more scientific evidence is needed to better understand the circumstances under which this assumption holds true. An experimental manipulation was performed to test how storm intensity and frequency affected the re-colonisation of rocky boulders by the non-indigenous species Caulerpa cylindracea following mechanical disturbance. Low intensity storms with a high frequency were found to enhance Caulerpa cylindracea invasiveness, while extreme storms limited the invasiveness. These effects were not only short-term, they were also observed up to nine months after the disturbance. Caulerpa cylindracea presents a low attachment capacity to rocky substrata, and its colonisation capacity may be favoured by the existence of other canopy-forming algae that create structures to which Caulerpa cylindracea can attach. Caulerpa cylindracea may be excessively affected by uprooting and dislodgement following high-intensity disturbances that produce bare rock. The shear stress driven by wave action on rocky shores can hinder its colonisation of the upper subtidal zone. This study suggests that extreme events do not necessarily enhance the exotic species invasiveness and that their effects may vary depending on the habitat. Thus, the effects of extreme events on exotic species invasiveness needs to be studied across diverse environments. Such research is essential to define site-specific management strategies that optimally mitigate the effects of alien species within current climate change constraints.
Article Details
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SANZ-LAZARO, C., TERRADAS-FERNÁNDEZ, M., & CASADO-COY, N. (2026). Extreme storms could limit the expansion of the invasive species Caulerpa cylindracea on rocky shores. Mediterranean Marine Science, 27(2), 321–329. https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.40833
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