Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2006NJ105B

The Potential Impact of the Asian Isopod, Synidotea laevidorsalis (Miers 1881), on the Delaware Bay, USA

Institute: New Jersey
Year Established: 2006 Start Date: 2006-03-01 End Date: 2007-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $2,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $4,152

Principal Investigators: Sean Boyd, David Bushek

Abstract: With the increasing risks of non-native species introductions and the negative impacts that exotic species can exert upon our natural ecosystems, it becomes vital to understand the potential threat of each newly discovered non-native species as soon as possible to minimize environmental damage. Many instances exist where an exotic species became problematic or harmful to the environment because of neglect or misunderstanding of its impact following an introduction. Because the introduction of S. laevidorsalis is relatively recent, it is still developing and defining its niche within the Delaware Bay. In order to guage its long-term impact on the ecosystem, we need to understand its expected range and resource demands within the ecosystem itself.