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<p>Cyanobacteria can form blooms and pose a threat to the functioning of freshwater ecosystems. Cyanobacterial invasions are expected to increase due to climate change. Alien species cause a decline in biodiversity by displacing native species, lead to extinctions, affect food webs, and produce cyanotoxins which potentially impact the environment and human health. Three species, <italic>Raphidiopsis raciborskii, Sphaerospermospis aphanizomenoides</italic> and <italic>Chrysosporum bergii</italic>, are considered non-native to European waters. Recently, they have expanded their native habitats and become established in temperate lakes. In this article, we provide a detailed overview of the countries where they are distributed and the occurrence of the blooms in Europe. We discuss the biotic and abiotic environmental factors that influence their establishment, as well as the characteristics of the species that make them so adaptable in non-native habitats. Understanding the interplay of these factors will allow us to better recognise patterns of invasiveness and predict their future threats to ecosystems.</p>
</abstract>

Cyanobacteria can form blooms and pose a threat to the functioning of freshwater ecosystems. Cyanobacterial invasions are expected to increase due to climate change. Alien species cause a decline in biodiversity by displacing native species, lead to extinctions, affect food webs, and produce cyanotoxins which potentially impact the environment and human health. Three species, Raphidiopsis raciborskii, Sphaerospermospis aphanizomenoides and Chrysosporum bergii, are considered non-native to European waters. Recently, they have expanded their native habitats and become established in temperate lakes. In this article, we provide a detailed overview of the countries where they are distributed and the occurrence of the blooms in Europe. We discuss the biotic and abiotic environmental factors that influence their establishment, as well as the characteristics of the species that make them so adaptable in non-native habitats. Understanding the interplay of these factors will allow us to better recognise patterns of invasiveness and predict their future threats to ecosystems.

An overview of the distribution and ecology of the alien cyanobacteria species <italic>Raphidiopsis raciborskii</italic>, <italic>Sphaerospermopsis aphanizomenoides</italic> and <italic>Chrysosporum bergii</italic> in Europe

Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

An overview of the distribution and ecology of the alien cyanobacteria species ,  and  in Europe

Cyanobacteria can form blooms and pose a threat to the functioning of freshwater ecosystems. Cyanobacterial invasions are expected to increase due to climate...

An overview of the distribution and ecology of the alien cyanobacteria species Raphidiopsis raciborskii, Sphaerospermopsis aphanizomenoides and Chrysosporum bergii in Europe

Article Category: Reviews

Published Online: Oct 09, 2023

Page range: 312 - 332

Received: Jan 16, 2023

Accepted: May 29, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26881/oahs-2023.3.06

© 2023 Izabele Šuikaitė et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.