Mnemiopsis leidyi Ecology, Modelling and Observation Worrying history SPATIO-TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION What? European crossborder research within the Interreg IVA 2 Seas Programme Who? 5 scientific research institutes ILVO (BE)/Ifremer & Université du Littoral côte d’Opale (FR)/Cefas (UK)/Deltares(NL) Why? Knowledge on identification, biology and physiology of the comb jelly M. leidyi Assessment of attendance, behavior and impact monitoring in the North Sea Models to assess the ecological and economic impact of M. leidyi in the 2 Seas region MEMO • Standard protocols : sampling and preservation genetic identification • Sampling campaigns • Distribution maps & habitat model BIOLOGY, PHYSIOLOGY AND FEEDING BEHAVIOUR • Laboratory experiments: reproduction feeding activities stable isotopes • Model on prey-predator interactions • Life cycle model ECOLOGICAL AND SOCIO- ECONOMIC IMPACT • Plankton ecosystem model • Socio-economic model • Industrial impact of M. leidyi • Ecological impact of M. leidyi • Economic impact of M. leidyi • Mitigation measures Background picture: ©Karl Van Ginderdeuren - ILVO Baltic Sea 2006 Mediterranean Sea Anchovies /Mnemiopsis in Black Sea (Kideys et al.,2000 ) 1980 Dates of reports Main sea transport routes How the sea wallnut Mnemiopsis leidyi is spreading through European seas © J.M. Brylinski (ULCO-LOG) ; Modified from Reusch et al. (2011) ©Lies Vansteenbrugge - ILVO © ILVO ©David Vuylsteke - ILVO ©Lodewijk van Walraven ©Jolly Jumper More info: www.ilvo.vlaanderen.be/memo