Fatemeh Zahmatkesh developed her master thesis under AMALIA framework and the invasive species monitoring of the Iberian Coast. 2017. Fatemeh defended her master in Ecology on the 9th of September at the University of Coimbra and the theme “Sampling, Mapping and Adding Value to Marine Invasive Seaweeds of the Iberian Peninsula”, under the supervision of AMALIA researcher Leonel Pereira and Rui Gaspar.
“… This thesis will go through the processes of seaweeds invasion, from their introduction stage and their introduction vectors, to their invasive success, focusing on the main NIS of seaweeds that can be currently found at the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Particularly, six NIS of seaweeds (Sargassum muticum, Grateloupia turuturu, Asparagopsis armata (including Falkenbergia rufolanosa stage), Undaria pinnatifida, Codium fragile spp. fragile and Colpomenia peregrina) were previously selected and sampled – based on DAFOR (Dominant, Abundant, Frequent, Occasional or Rare) cover ranges scale – along intertidal sites located within the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. As a result of the sampling, the distribution of those seaweeds has been updated for the area, producing a hotspot map of their presence and relative abundance. Furthermore, the environmental management of NIS was addressed, as well as their potential uses such as biofertilizers, bioactivities, feed and food, aiming to show how these species, which are jeopardizing the ecosystem, can be an excellent environmental resource of bioactive compounds with high industrial potential and high socio-economic revenue.”
