Abstract
AbstractAimsThe present study is the first attempt to grasp the scale and richness of marine biological invasions in Macaronesia. We pioneered a comprehensive non‐native species (NNS), inventory in the region to determine their diversity patterns and native distribution origins. NNS were defined here as the result of both introductions and range expansions. We also used statistical modelling to examine relationships among NNS richness, anthropogenic activities, demographic and geographical variables across Macaronesia.LocationMacaronesia.MethodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted for marine NNS records in Macaronesia, registering the first record's location and year from 1884 to 2020. We used univariate and multivariate analyses to evaluate differences and similarities in community composition. By applying a Generalized Linear Model (GLM), we tested hypotheses regarding NNS richness as a function of anthropogenic activities, demographic and geographical variables.ResultsA total of 144 marine non‐native species (NNS) were recorded for the whole of Macaronesia. The highest NNS richness was registered in the Canary Islands (76 NNS), followed by the Azores (66 NNS), Madeira (59 NNS) and finally Cabo Verde (18 NNS). Some differences amongst archipelagos were observed, such as the high number of non‐native macroalgae in the Azores, fishes in the Canary Islands and tunicates in Cabo Verde. Overall, macroalgae, tunicates and bryozoans were the predominant taxonomic groups in the Macaronesian archipelagos. Madeira and Canary Islands were the archipelagos with more similarity in marine NNS, and Cabo Verde the most divergent. Finally, GLM suggested that non‐native richness patterns across Macaronesia were dependent on the considered archipelago and strongly affected by (1) minimum distance to the mainland, (2) the total number of ports and marinas and (3) total marinas area (km2).ConclusionsThe model results and NNS listing in the present study will likely raise the awareness and response regarding marine NNS in the whole Macaronesia region, serving as a baseline for future research as well as implementing and enforcing regulations related to the introduction of marine NNS in oceanic islands.
Highlights
Anthropogenic pressures cause significant impacts on global biodiversity and ecosystem structure and function (Costello et al, 2010; Mammides, 2020; Thuiller, 2007)
The earliest non-native species (NNS) species recorded in the Macaronesia region was in the late 1800s (Figure 2)
Future research in Macaronesia should focus on standardized NNS monitoring surveys using standard protocols
Summary
Anthropogenic pressures cause significant impacts on global biodiversity and ecosystem structure and function (Costello et al, 2010; Mammides, 2020; Thuiller, 2007). The introduction of non-native species (NNS) is considered one of the greatest environmental and economic threats (Costello et al, 2010; Cuthbert et al, 2021; Diagne et al, 2021). In the last several decades, new estuarine and marine coastal NNS appear to be establishing worldwide at an increasing rate (Tsiamis et al, 2019). Biological invasions (the arrival, establishment and diffusion of a species) in marine communities occur through two processes, range expansions and introductions. Range expansions consist of dispersal by natural mechanisms into a region where the species did not formerly exist. The result of both range expansions and introductions is the arrival and potential establishment of non-native species (Carlton, 1987)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
