Limited effects of marine protected areas on the distribution of invasive species, despite positive effects on diversity in shallow-water marine communities

Cacabelos, Eva; Martins, Gustavo M.; Faria, João; Prestes, Afonso C. L.; Costa, Tarso; Moreu, Ignacio; Neto, Ana I.

doi:10.1007/s10530-019-02171-x

Cited by 16 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 52 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…under Natura 2000). However, further research and extensive biomonitoring programmes are still needed to assess more accurately which species are threatened and to provide a more holistic view of these ecosystems' present and changing status (Cacabelos et al., 2020; Iacarella et al., 2020). Thus, the strategic expansion of the network of protected areas and the effective allocation of resources for conservation is highly dependent on accurate and recurrent biodiversity assessments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gaps in DNA sequence libraries for Macaronesian marine macroinvertebrates imply decades till completion and robust monitoring

Vieira

Lavrador

Parente

et al. 2021

Diversity and Distributions

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Aim DNA metabarcoding has great potential to improve biomonitoring in island's marine ecosystems, which are highly vulnerable to global change and non‐indigenous species (NIS) introductions. However, the depth and accuracy of the taxonomic identifications are mainly dependent on reference libraries containing representative and reliable sequences for the targeted species. In this study, we evaluated the gaps in the availability of DNA sequences and their accuracy for macroinvertebrates inhabiting Macaronesia's shallow marine habitats. Location Macaronesia (Azores, Madeira, Selvagens, Canaries). Methods Checklists of marine invertebrates occurring above 50 m depth were compiled using public databases and published checklists. The availability of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 18S rRNA (18S) gene sequences was verified in BOLD and GenBank. Finally, COI data were audited to check the congruence between morphospecies and Barcode Index Numbers (BINs). Results The taxonomic coverage of different phyla was greater for COI but unbalanced and variable among archipelagos. NIS were better represented in genetic databases (up to 73% and 59%, for COI and 18S, respectively) than native species (up to 47% and 31%, for COI and 18S, respectively). NIS displayed a higher number of discordant records, and native species, a higher quantity of cases of multiple BINs. Notably, DNA sequences generated from specimens collected from Macaronesia were found in less than 10% of the species. Projection of the rates of accretion of DNA sequences suggests that decades will be needed to complete these reference libraries. Main conclusions The level of completion of reference libraries for Macaronesia's marine macroinvertebrates is generally poor. Without a solid effort to speed up the production of sequence data (i.e. generate more DNA barcodes), the ability to employ DNA‐based biomonitoring of such vulnerable fauna is compromised. The high levels of suspected hidden diversity further deepen the expected gaps and reinforce the vulnerability of this endemism‐rich fauna.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gaps in DNA sequence libraries for Macaronesian marine macroinvertebrates imply decades till completion and robust monitoring

Vieira

Lavrador

Parente

et al. 2021

Diversity and Distributions

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Despite the contradicting results regarding the role of marine protected areas upon the success of biological invasions (e.g., [11,63,64]), there is growing evidence that the established invaders could present higher fitness than the native species in the Mediterranean MPAs often resulting in complex cascading effects and altering the structure and function of the invaded ecosystems [11,22,43]. Yet our study moves one step forward by highlighting the importance of the interaction not only between native and invasive species but also between invasive species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long Term Interactions of Native and Invasive Species in a Marine Protected Area Suggest Complex Cascading Effects Challenging Conservation Outcomes

Dimitriadis¹,

Fournari-Konstantinidou

Sourbès³

et al. 2021

Diversity

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Understanding the interactions among invasive species, native species and marine protected areas (MPAs), and the long-term regime shifts in MPAs is receiving increased attention, since biological invasions can alter the structure and functioning of the protected ecosystems and challenge conservation efforts. Here we found evidence of marked modifications in the rocky reef associated biota in a Mediterranean MPA from 2009 to 2019 through visual census surveys, due to the presence of invasive species altering the structure of the ecosystem and triggering complex cascading effects on the long term. Low levels of the populations of native high-level predators were accompanied by the population increase and high performance of both native and invasive fish herbivores. Subsequently the overgrazing and habitat degradation resulted in cascading effects towards the diminishing of the native and invasive invertebrate grazers and omnivorous benthic species. Our study represents a good showcase of how invasive species can coexist or exclude native biota and at the same time regulate or out-compete other established invaders and native species.

show abstract

“…Nevertheless, the constant increase in the algal biomass, even with seasonal changes, and its presence along the intertidal suggests that the effect will be greater in the future, in an equilibrium situation. Even the protection provided by Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is very limited to prevent the establishment and spread of the most abundant invasive macroalgae [11,45]. Predicting the impacts of invasive species on food webs and communities is one of the biggest challenges facing ecologists.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mediterranean in the 1920s. The species is now widely distributed from the British Isles to Senegal, including the Azores, Canary, and Madeira Islands [11], where it is considered an invasive exotic species. This seaweed is regarded as invasive because it spreads avidly in receiving habitats in short time, colonizing a wide area, displacing native species and producing a significant change in terms of community composition [12,13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of the Invasive Seaweed <em>Asparagopsis Armata</em> on Native Rock Pool Communities: Evidences from Experimental Exclusion

Silva

Lemos

Gaspar

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Biological invasions represent a threat to ecosystems, through competition and habitat destruction, which may result in significant changes of the invaded community. Asparagopsis armata is a red macroalgae (Rodophyta) globally recognized as an invasive species. It is found from the intertidal to shallow subtidal areas, on rock or epiphytic, forming natural vegetation belts on exposed coasts. This study evaluated the variations on native intertidal seaweed and macroinvertebrate assemblages inhabiting rock pools with and without the presence of the invasive macroalgae A. armata. To achieve this, manipulation experiments on Atlantic (Portugal) rock pools were done. Three rock pools were maintained without A. armata by manual removal of macroalgae, and three others were not experimentally manipulated during the study period and A. armata was freely present. In this study the variations between different rock pools were assessed. Results showed different patterns in the macroalgae composition of assemblages but not for the macrobenthic communities. Ellisolandia elongata was the main algal species affected by the invasion of A. armata. Invaded pools tended to show less species richness, showing a more constant and conservative structure, with lower variation of its taxonomic composition than the pools not containing A. armata, where the variability between samples was always higher. Despite the importance of the achieved results, further data based on observation of long-term series are needed, in order to further understand more severe effects of the invader A. armata on native macroalgal assemblage.

show abstract

Limited effects of marine protected areas on the distribution of invasive species, despite positive effects on diversity in shallow-water marine communities

Cited by 16 publications

References 52 publications

Gaps in DNA sequence libraries for Macaronesian marine macroinvertebrates imply decades till completion and robust monitoring

Gaps in DNA sequence libraries for Macaronesian marine macroinvertebrates imply decades till completion and robust monitoring

Long Term Interactions of Native and Invasive Species in a Marine Protected Area Suggest Complex Cascading Effects Challenging Conservation Outcomes

The Effects of the Invasive Seaweed <em>Asparagopsis Armata</em> on Native Rock Pool Communities: Evidences from Experimental Exclusion

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About