Emre Keskin

The aim of the present project is to determine non-native/invasive freshwater fish species, which are currently found and potentially to be introduced in Turkey through traditional and molecular tools, assess their risks and develop a real-time web-based database and monitoring map to maintain proper control and management of these species. It is very well known the detrimental impacts of non-native and invasive species to native fauna, flora, ecosystem and socio-economic structure for a long time but studies on these impacts have only recently been increased. However, preventing a non-native species’ impact after being introduced into a new environment, become dominant and established is quite difficult. Therefore, the best conservation strategy is to determine these species before they are introduced or become established and take necessary measures by assessing their risks. To this end, all non-native species that could pose a threat should be monitored at all times, their risks should be assessed and they should be kept under control. With this aim, the present project will first determine current and potential non-native and invasive freshwater fish species to be introduced with various pathways to Turkey by traditional and state-of-the-art molecular tools (eDNA) through comprehensive samplings covering whole Turkey and then conduct their risk assessments with proper methods and finally develop a web-based warning/monitoring system. The present project will be the first for these kinds of studies with such large scope and in terms of planned number of species (approximately 300) and study area (whole Turkey). Outcomes of this project will provide the necessary databases for early detection and intervention of non-native and invasive species in Turkey, their risk evaluations and an up-to-date warning system monitoring these species continuously to take species-based precautionary measures against them. At the end of the project, a non-native/invasive species list of Turkey will be composed and these species will continuously be monitored thanks to the planned warning system. In order to determine non-native species, with the aim of validation each other both traditional and eDNA methods will be used, being latter providing faster, cheaper and standardized results for species’ distribution and relative abundance. For risk analysis of freshwater fish species, the most commonly used Visual Basic based software adapted to Excel FISK v2 will be used. Finally, for developing web based monitoring and warning system, the web page that is currently and successfully used, EDDMapS – Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System (www.eddmaps.org) and related smart phone applications will be followed. Project outcomes are expected to fill a large gap on control and management of invasive species in Turkey. Since the molecular protocol, which will be followed in the present project needs a less effort with no taxonomic specialization and provides a fast and effective species identification, it will be revealed as a very good alternative in using national sources better and accordingly contribute national economy. Furthermore, results of the proposed project will facilitate an eDNA laboratory system that provides joint works with some other institutes in molecular identification and establishing reference database. Also, the outcomes of the project will be utilized as a main database for the institutes in Turkey, which are officially responsible for controlling and managing non-native species, especially for ornamental fishes that are commercially brought to the country. Finally, web based monitoring and early warning system will be the most important outcome of this project for controlling and managing of non-native and invasive species in Turkey.

Scientific and Technological Research Council Of Turkey (TUBİTAK)

2015-2018