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Tsirintanis K, Sini M, Ragkousis M, Zenetos A, Katsanevakis S. Cumulative Negative Impacts of Invasive Alien Species on Marine Ecosystems of the Aegean Sea. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:933. [PMID: 37508363 PMCID: PMC10376206 DOI: 10.3390/biology12070933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Biological invasions are a human-induced environmental disturbance that can cause major changes in ecosystem structure and functioning. Located in the northeastern Mediterranean basin, the Aegean Sea is a hotspot of biological invasions. Although the presence of alien species in the Aegean has been studied and monitored, no assessment has been conducted on their cumulative impacts on native biodiversity. To address this gap, we applied the CIMPAL index, a framework developed for mapping the cumulative impacts of invasive species, to identify the most affected areas and habitat types and determine the most invasive species in the region. Coastal areas showed stronger impacts than the open sea. The highest CIMPAL scores were four times more frequent in the South than in the North Aegean. Shallow (0-60 m) hard substrates were the most heavily impacted habitat type, followed by shallow soft substrates and seagrass meadows. We identified Caulerpa cylindracea, Lophocladia lallemandii, Siganus luridus, Siganus rivulatus, and Womersleyella setacea as the most impactful species across their range of occurrence in the Aegean but rankings varied depending on the habitat type and impact indicator applied. Our assessment can support marine managers in prioritizing decisions and actions to control biological invasions and mitigate their impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Tsirintanis
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Aegean, Lofos Panepistimiou, 81100 Mytilene, Greece
| | - Maria Sini
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Aegean, Lofos Panepistimiou, 81100 Mytilene, Greece
| | - Michail Ragkousis
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Aegean, Lofos Panepistimiou, 81100 Mytilene, Greece
| | - Argyro Zenetos
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, 19013 Attika, Greece
| | - Stelios Katsanevakis
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Aegean, Lofos Panepistimiou, 81100 Mytilene, Greece
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Wassick A, Hunsucker KZ, Swain G. Measuring the recruitment and growth of biofouling communities using clear recruitment panels. BIOFOULING 2023; 39:643-660. [PMID: 37537897 DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2023.2243236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Ecological monitoring has been recognized as a key tool for guiding biofouling management practices. A two-year study was designed to collect comprehensive data on the biofouling community progression at Port Canaveral, Florida, using clear recruitment panels and a scanner to directly observe organisms attached to the surface. This method allowed for minimal disruption to the natural community development and aided the collection of a suite of metrics to explore environmental relationships. Seasonal changes in community composition and biofouling pressure, especially at earlier stages, were related to abiotic conditions. Interannual variation within seasonal communities was also observed. The type of dominant organism present impacted the rate at which surfaces were covered (e.g. fastest cover with tunicates) and the overall biomass accumulation (e.g. highest rate with tubeworms). Results highlight that understanding the influence of the time of year and the dominant organism identity is ecologically vital for improving biofouling management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Wassick
- Center for Corrosion and Biofouling Control, FL Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL, USA
| | - Kelli Z Hunsucker
- Center for Corrosion and Biofouling Control, FL Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL, USA
| | - Geoffrey Swain
- Center for Corrosion and Biofouling Control, FL Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL, USA
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Corrigan S, Brown AR, Tyler CR, Wilding C, Daniels C, Ashton IGC, Smale DA. Development and Diversity of Epibiont Assemblages on Cultivated Sugar Kelp ( Saccharina latissima) in Relation to Farming Schedules and Harvesting Techniques. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13010209. [PMID: 36676158 PMCID: PMC9865293 DOI: 10.3390/life13010209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Seaweed farming in Europe is growing and may provide environmental benefits, including habitat provisioning, coastal protection, and bioremediation. Habitat provisioning by seaweed farms remains largely unquantified, with previous research focused primarily on the detrimental effects of epibionts, rather than their roles in ecological functioning and ecosystem service provision. We monitored the development and diversity of epibiont assemblages on cultivated sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima) at a farm in Cornwall, southwest UK, and compared the effects of different harvesting techniques on epibiont assemblage structure. Increases in epibiont abundance (PERMANOVA, F4,25 = 100.56, p < 0.001) and diversity (PERMANOVA, F4,25 = 27.25, p < 0.001) were found on cultivated kelps over and beyond the growing season, reaching an average abundance of >6000 individuals per kelp plant with a taxonomic richness of ~9 phyla per kelp by late summer (August). Assemblages were dominated by crustaceans (mainly amphipods), molluscs (principally bivalves) and bryozoans, which provide important ecological roles, despite reducing crop quality. Partial harvesting techniques maintained, or increased, epibiont abundance and diversity beyond the farming season; however, these kelp plants were significantly fouled and would not be commercially viable in most markets. This paper improves understanding of epibiont assemblage development at European kelp farms, which can inform sustainable, ecosystem-based approaches to aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Corrigan
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
- Sustainable Aquaculture Futures, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
- Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK
- Correspondence: (S.C.); (D.A.S.)
| | - A. Ross Brown
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
- Sustainable Aquaculture Futures, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Charles R. Tyler
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
- Sustainable Aquaculture Futures, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Catherine Wilding
- Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK
| | - Carly Daniels
- College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Ian G. C. Ashton
- College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Dan A. Smale
- Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK
- Correspondence: (S.C.); (D.A.S.)
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Lins DM, Rocha RM. Invasive species fouling Perna perna (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) mussel farms. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 181:113829. [PMID: 35709680 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Invasive, fouling species increase management costs and reduce mussel growth, which jeopardizes mariculture. We studied the distribution of eight invasive species in Santa Catarina, the leading mussel producer in Brazil. Our goals were to determine their spatial distribution and prevalence on farm structures (buoys, long lines, and mussel socks), as well as understand the relevance of propagule pressure (recruitment), port distance, and area of the farm in this distribution. Although present in all sites, adult and recruits distribution were spatially restricted, showing that species might have a metapopulation structure. The most prevalent species were the ascidian Styela plicata, the barnacle Megabalanus coccopoma, the bryozoan Schizoporella errata, and the polychaete Branchiomma luctuosum. Recruitment was the main driver of three species distribution while distance to port explained only one species distribution. Based on those results, we discuss policy options, management, and regulation enforcement, that can be used in the mussel aquaculture elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M Lins
- Ecology and Conservation Graduate Program, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Brazil.
| | - Rosana M Rocha
- Zoology Department, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Brazil
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Settlement of Bivalve Spat on Artificial Collectors (Net Bags) in Two Commercial Mussel Parks in the North-Western Adriatic Sea. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse10020210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Among aquaculture activities, shellfish culture is considered more sustainable and beneficial in terms of food security. Currently, only a few bivalve species are reared and there is a need to explore the possibility to introduce new candidates for shellfish farming. Due to the lack of information on bivalve recruitment in the North-Western Adriatic Sea, in this study, the possibility to collect natural spat of commercial species was investigated. Artificial collectors (net bags) were deployed in two sites, Pellestrina and Caleri (North-Western Adriatic Sea), within two commercial mussel parks, during the spring–summer and summer–autumn periods. At both sites, collectors were placed at a distance of 1 m from each other, from 5 to 14 m depth. The influence of season, site and depth on bivalve recruitment was inspected and the presence of invasive species was also evaluated. In all, 28 bivalve taxa were found, and a higher settlement rate was observed in summer–autumn compared to the spring–summer period. Mytilus galloprovincialis, Flexopecten glaber, Mimachlays varia and Aequipecten opercularis were the most abundant species in spring–summer. In the summer–autumn period, in both sites analysed, a very high quantity of Anadara transversa and F. glaber were found. Indeed, these species were dominant at Pellestrina and Caleri, respectively. Another non-indigenous species, Arcuatula senhousia, was also detected. Relevant amounts of Pectinidae spat, F. glaber in particular, were collected and the optimal depth range for the scallop spat collection was found to be between 8 and 14 m. Our results highlight the relevant potential of Pectinidae spat collection along the North-Western Adriatic coasts, even though the presence of invasive species needs to be monitored.
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Póvoa AA, de Araújo FV, Skinner LF. Macroorganisms fouled in marine anthropogenic litter (rafting) arround a tropical bay in the Southwest Atlantic. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 175:113347. [PMID: 35202916 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The presence of floating marine anthropogenic litter in marine environments increase the possibility of transportation of fouling organisms using these substrates as a vector, mainly for those species with close affinities to artificial substrates. The objectives were to qualitatively and quantitatively report anthropogenic litter and its associated fouling groups arround Ilha Grande Bay (IGB). Litter was collected, classified and examined for the presence of fouling organisms on beaches located at two different levels of wave exposure during rainy and dry seasons. The types of litter do not differ among beaches, and the highest density and cover of fouling were reported on exposed beaches due the currents, winds, and storm waves. Bryozoans, barnacles, polychaetes, and mollusks were the most frequent fouling groups observed in litter and represents a potential vector for the dispersion of species in the IGB and adjacent coastal areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Alves Póvoa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Marinha e Ambientes Costeiros, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro de São João Batista s/n - Centro - Niterói, Rio de Janeiro 24020-971, Brazil.
| | - Fábio Vieira de Araújo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Marinha e Ambientes Costeiros, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro de São João Batista s/n - Centro - Niterói, Rio de Janeiro 24020-971, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências, Faculdade de Formação de Professores da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Francisco Portela 1470, Patronato, São Gonçalo 24435-005, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Luís Felipe Skinner
- Departamento de Ciências, Faculdade de Formação de Professores da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Francisco Portela 1470, Patronato, São Gonçalo 24435-005, RJ, Brazil.
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Non-Indigenous Species on Artificial Coastal Environments: Experimental Comparison between Aquaculture Farms and Recreational Marinas. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse9101121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Globally, there is growing concern regarding the effects of the increasing anthropogenic pressures in marine communities. Artificial structures such as marinas and aquaculture facilities serve as invasion hotspots; hence, monitoring fouling communities on these structures can be valuable for detecting new invasions. In the current study, 24 settlement PVC plates were deployed for three months to compare the recruitment ability of these two artificial environments along the south coast of the offshore island of Madeira (NE Atlantic). The results showed higher variations in the species richness between regions (SW vs. SE) than between artificial habitats (sea-cages vs. marinas), although the community composition differed. Cnidaria and Bryozoa were the most representative groups in the aquaculture systems, while Bryozoa and Chordata were in the marinas. A sum of 18 NIS was recorded for the study, accounting for between 21.88% and 54.84% of the total number of species in the aquaculture facilities and marinas, respectively. The higher NIS percentage from the marinas was even more explicit in the SE coast, where Cradoscrupocellaria bertholletii, Parasmittina alba, and Botrylloides niger distinctly dominated fouling populations. The results suggest that at least some particular NIS previously reported in the studied marinas successfully colonized sea-cages. Future assessments need to address the potential role of aquaculture facilities as drivers for the secondary spread of NIS. Additionally, two new records are considered for Madeira: Eudendrium capillare and Ericthonius punctatus.
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Póvoa AA, Skinner LF, de Araújo FV. Fouling organisms in marine litter (rafting on abiogenic substrates): A global review of literature. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 166:112189. [PMID: 33662701 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
One of the underestimated consequences of marine litter presence on marine environment is the transportation of fouling species on detritus - a process known as rafting. We undertook a review of articles concerning rafting published between 1970 and 2020 to identify patterns and potential areas of study that could contribute to directing future research. We observed in 53 publications an increase in rafting studies from the 1990s but fewer studies have been undertaken in the Southern Atlantic. The main fouling organisms were algae, barnacles, bryozoans, mollusks and polychaetes. The transport of those organisms over time and distances, and the volumes of material transported, have been very irregular, reflecting oceanic movements and detritus generating events acting at local, regional, or trans-oceanic scales. No standardized methodologies for collecting marine litter and identifying and quantifying their fouling were observed, but are suggested in this review, to allow more accurate future comparisons among different studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Alves Póvoa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Marinha e Ambientes Costeiros, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro de São João Batista s/n - Centro, Niterói 24020-971, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Luís Felipe Skinner
- Departamento de Ciências, Faculdade de Formação de Professores da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Francisco Portela 1470, Patronato, São Gonçalo 24435-005, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Fábio Vieira de Araújo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Marinha e Ambientes Costeiros, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro de São João Batista s/n - Centro, Niterói 24020-971, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências, Faculdade de Formação de Professores da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Francisco Portela 1470, Patronato, São Gonçalo 24435-005, RJ, Brazil.
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