New threats of an old enemy: The distribution of the shipworm Teredo navalis L. (Bivalvia: Teredinidae) related to climate change in the Port of Rotterdam area, the Netherlands

Paalvast, Peter; van der Velde, Gerard

New threats of an old enemy: The distribution of the shipworm Teredo navalis L. (Bivalvia: Teredinidae) related to climate change in the Port of Rotterdam area, the Netherlands

2011

Paalvast, Peter | van der Velde, Gerard

The effects of four climate change scenarios for the Netherlands on the distribution of the shipworm upstream of the Rhine–Meuse estuary are described. Global warming will cause dry and warmer summers and decreased river discharges. This will extend the salinity gradient upstream in summer and fall and may lead to attacks on wooden structures by the shipworm. Scenarios including one or two degree temperature increases by 2050 compared to 1990 with a weak change in the air circulation over Europe will lead to an increased chance of shipworm damage upstream from once in 36years to once in 27 or 22years, respectively; however, under a strong change in air circulation, the chance of shipworm damage increases to once in 6 or 3years, respectively. The upstream expansion of the distribution of the shipworm will also be manifested in other northwest European estuaries and will be even stronger in southern Europe.

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