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University of vigo.
Group of Plant Ecology and Evolution.
Group of Plant Ecology and Evolution.
The Laboratory of Plant Ecology and Evolution of University of vigo presents:
Biological invasions. How did they originate? The zebra mussel.
The transport and introduction of biological species outside their native area has,
in recent decades, become one of the major biological problems for humanity. (Causas, mecanismos y consecuencias).
This is destroying the uniqueness of many ecosystems.
Therefore, the study of the causes,
mechanisms and consequences of biological invasions
is now a fundamental aspect in the performance of governments and international organizations.
The zebra mussel could be an example of the mechanism involved in these biological invasions.
This species is native to the Caspian and Black seas.
There, its natural enemies keep its populations in balance with the environment.
However, the larvae of this species can easily adhere to the hulls
of the boats crossing the world's oceans.
These larvae are displaced from their natural habitat
and are introduced into other environments which are not always favourable.
In fact, many of these larvae never reach adulthood...
But some zebra mussel larvae are deposited in environments
with more conducive growth conditions.
There, they settle and begin their life cycle,
reproducing and originating new broods.
If, besides reproducing without any problems,
zebra mussels settle in an ecosystem free from their enemies,
they become a plague.
Thus, they can cause a number of serious problems.
They can alter the environment,
compete with native species for food and invade water pipe infrastructures,
resulting in both an environmental and economic disaster.
For example, the safety of the Nuclear Power Plant of Asco,
in Spain, has been jeopardized by the large number of zebra mussels
that accumulate in its cooling tanks.
This video is a production of the Laboratory of Plant Ecology and Evolution of the University of Vigo and Divulgare group.
Is part of a series of videos that, from a proven scientific perspective, seeks to highlight the causes of biological invasions,
the mechanisms by which species can become invasive and the consequences that certain invasions of alien species
can have on dynamics of native ecosystems.
Video development has been carried out by: Luis Navarro, Esther Bernárdez, Iván Rodriguez Arós, José Miguel Sagüillo Arbones
Scientific advisory: Luis navarro, Esther Bernárdez.
Art direction: Iván Rodríguez Arós "Esfenodón".
Modeling, shading, setup, animation, FX3D and Render: Iván Rodríguez Arós "Esfenodon"
3D FX specialist: José Miguel Sagüillo Arbones
Sounds: thefreesoundproject
Music: Inmenso Oncoming way (Premiumbeat.com license)
Voice over: Maribi Ugarteburu, Berni dollman (english) Recorded in Musikorta studios
If you are interested in other productions of Divulgare group visit the following webs:
http://webs.uvigo.es/plantecology www.divulgare.net