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Vol. 29 (2026 year), No. 1, DOI: 10.21443/1560-9278-2026-29-1

Ulrikh E. V.
Review of invasive aquatic organisms in the Baltic Sea basin

There is currently a lack of fundamental research on the impact of invasive aquatic species on the ecosystems of the Baltic Sea basin. The aim of the study is to review and summarize the existing knowledge on invasive aquatic species in the Baltic Sea basin. The present study has shown that at least 76 aquatic (or semi-aquatic) invasive species have been recorded on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. The microalga Prorocentrum minimum is so far the only invasive planktonic microalga known in the aquatic environment of the Baltic Sea basin. Researchers associate it with the accumulation of toxic substances, but increased toxicity of Prorocentrum has not been confirmed. Green algae Cladophora glomerata are one of the introduced macroalgae species found in the coastal areas of the Baltic. The list of invasive aquatic, semi-aquatic and coastal vascular plants includes 16 species. 30 invasive invertebrates have been recorded in marine coastal and inland freshwater environments of the Baltic Sea basin. Most of them are benthic and nektobenthic species, the rest are zooplankton (3 species) and parasites (1 species). A total of 28 invasive fish species belonging to eight families have been registered in the Baltic Sea basin, 27 of which were intentionally introduced for breeding. About half of the species (14–15) originate from different Asian regions (mainly from the Russian Far East and Siberia), five species from the Ponto-Caspian region, and four species from North America. The available information on invasive species requires the initiation of systematic and well-coordinated studies of their vital functions to provide the necessary scientific recommendations (e.g., vulnerability assessments) for the study of aquatic invaders. The present study should serve as a catalyst for further serious studies of invasive aquatic organisms in the Baltic Sea basin.

(in Russian, стр.9, fig. 0, tables. 1, ref 40, AdobePDF, AdobePDF 0 Kb)