Anthropogenic marine litter composition in coastal areas may be a predictor of potentially invasive rafting fauna

Rech, Sabine; Pichs, Yaisel J. Borrell; García‐Vázquez, Eva

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0191859

Cited by 69 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 68 publications

(95 reference statements)

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“…Predicting invasions requires understanding the process of the invasion [31][32]; it is therefore crucial to understand how marine debris is spread, and to study the organisms with the capacity of attaching to these surfaces. Among some of the extensive work done on NIS transport via marine debris [33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40], some studies have shown the ability of biota to perform extreme transoceanic travels and survive over years attached to floating litter. For example, in 2011 a massive tsunami launched debris from the Japanese coast to Hawaii and North American shores.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental DNA from plastic and textile marine litter detects exotic and nuisance species nearby ports

et al. 2020

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Marine debris is currently a significant source of environmental and economic problems. Floating litter can be employed by marine organisms as a surface to attach to and use as spreading vector. Human activities are promoting the expansion of potentially harmful species into novel ecosystems, endangering autochthonous communities. In this project, more than 1,000 litter items were collected and classified from five beaches eastwards the port of Gijon, in Asturias, Spain. Next generation sequencing was employed to study biofouling communities attached to items of different materials. A dominance of DNA from Florideophyceae, Dinophyceae and Arthropoda was found, and four non-indigenous species (NIS) were identified. Results showed a clear preference of Florideophyceae and Bryozoa to attach on textile surfaces versus plastic ones. Considering that these taxa contain several highly invasive species described to date, these data emphasize the potential of textile marine debris as a vector for dispersal of NIS. Moreover, the closest beaches to the port contained a more similar biota profile than the farther ones, confirming that both plastic and textile marine litter can be vectors for species dispersal from ports.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental DNA from plastic and textile marine litter detects exotic and nuisance species nearby ports

et al. 2020

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“…Therefore, given the spatial "cosmopolitanism" of plastic materials and their increasing abundance in the marine environment, generalist invasive species (or with invasive potential) in the surface waters of all oceans which can be transported by this vector, constitute an increasing threatwithin the bathymetric range to which they are adaptiveespecially to pristine and highly biodiverse ecosystems, with particular relevance to Marine Protected Areas. Rech et al (2018a) found that the frequency of a specific taxon attached to plastic litter in a coastal area can be predicted based on the characteristics of biological communities associated with each litter material and the composition of beach litter. This approach, after being tested in other regions, may contribute as a simple and cost-effective tool for risk assessment in the future (Rech et al, 2018a).…”

Section: Spatiotemporal Dispersion Patterns Of Plastic Debris In the Marine Environment And Vulnerable Areasmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Rech et al (2018a) found that the frequency of a specific taxon attached to plastic litter in a coastal area can be predicted based on the characteristics of biological communities associated with each litter material and the composition of beach litter. This approach, after being tested in other regions, may contribute as a simple and cost-effective tool for risk assessment in the future (Rech et al, 2018a). On the other hand, Fazey and Ryan (2016a,b) showed that small samples of plastic litter lost buoyancy due to biofouling much faster than larger ones, providing the first estimates of the longevity of different sizes of plastic debris at the surface of the ocean.…”

Section: Spatiotemporal Dispersion Patterns Of Plastic Debris In the Marine Environment And Vulnerable Areasmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plastic as a Vector of Dispersion for Marine Species With Invasive Potential. A Review

García‐Gómez

Garrigós²,

Garrigós³

2021

Front. Ecol. Evol.

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Plastic debris constitutes up to 87% of marine litter and represents one of the most frequently studied vectors for marine alien species with invasive potential in the last 15 years. This review addresses an integrated analysis of the different factors involved in the impact of plastic as a vector for the dispersal of marine species. The sources of entry of plastic materials into the ocean are identified as well as how they move between different habitats affecting each trophic level and producing hot spots of plastic accumulation in the ocean. The characterization of plastic as a dispersal vector for marine species has provided information about the inherent properties of plastics which have led to its impact on the ocean: persistence, buoyancy, and variety in terms of chemical composition, all of which facilitate colonization by macro and microscopic species along with its dispersion throughout different oceans and ecosystems. The study of the differences in the biocolonization of plastic debris according to its chemical composition provided fundamental information regarding the invasion process mediated by plastic, and highlighted gaps of knowledge about this process. A wide range of species attached to plastic materials has been documented and the most recurrent phyla found on plastic have been identified from potentially invasive macrofauna to toxic microorganisms, which are capable of causing great damage in places far away from their origin. Plastic seems to be more efficient than the natural oceanic rafts carrying taxa such as Arthropoda, Annelida, and Mollusca. Although the differential colonization of different plastic polymers is not clear, the chemical composition might determine the community of microorganisms, where we can find both pathogens and virulent and antibiotic resistance genes. The properties of plastic allow it to be widely dispersed in practically all ocean compartments, making this material an effective means of transport for many species that could become invasive.

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“…One example of this, is the recent recognition that marine litter is a NIS introduction vector, with hydrodynamic currents facilitating the short-and long-range dispersal of NIS on this vector (Rech et al 2016). Fouling species, including M. gigas, have been reported rafting on anthropogenic litter pollution (Rech et al 2018). Policy decisions should be made with full consideration of how future changes in the prevalence of existing and emerging pathways and vectors may influence the effectiveness of management actions in mitigating the risk of introduction and secondary spread.…”

Section: Modelling Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unaided dispersal risk of Magallana gigas into and around the UK: combining particle tracking modelling and environmental suitability scoring

et al. 2021

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Marine non-indigenous species are a significant threat to marine ecosystems with prevention of introduction and early detection considered to be the only effective management strategy. Knowledge of the unaided pathway has received relatively little attention, despite being integral to the implementation of robust monitoring and surveillance. Here, particle tracking modelling is combined with spatial analysis of environmental suitability, to highlight UK coastal areas at risk of introduction and spread of Magallana gigas by the unaided pathway. ‘Introduction into UK’ scenarios were based on spawning from the continental coast, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man and ‘spread within UK’ scenarios were based on spawning from known UK wild populations and aquaculture sites. Artificial structures were included as spawning sites in an introduction scenario. The UK coast was scored, based on parameters influencing larval settlement, to reflect environmental suitability. Risk maps were produced to highlight areas of the UK coast at elevated risk of introduction and spread of M. gigas by the unaided pathway. This study highlights that introduction of M. gigas into UK waters via the unaided pathway is possible, with offshore structures increasing the potential geographical extent of introduction. Further, there is potential for substantial secondary spread from aquaculture sites and wild populations in the UK. The results of the study are considered in the context of national M. gigas management, whilst the approach is contextualised more broadly as a tool to further understanding of a little-known, yet significant pathway.

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Anthropogenic marine litter composition in coastal areas may be a predictor of potentially invasive rafting fauna

Cited by 69 publications

References 68 publications

Environmental DNA from plastic and textile marine litter detects exotic and nuisance species nearby ports

Environmental DNA from plastic and textile marine litter detects exotic and nuisance species nearby ports

Plastic as a Vector of Dispersion for Marine Species With Invasive Potential. A Review

Unaided dispersal risk of Magallana gigas into and around the UK: combining particle tracking modelling and environmental suitability scoring

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