The enlargement of the Suez Canal—Erythraean introductions and management challenges

Galil, Bella S.; Marchini, Agnese; Occhipinti‐Ambrogi, Anna; Ojaveer, Henn

doi:10.3391/mbi.2017.8.2.02

Cited by 106 publications

(80 citation statements)

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“…For the 2010 model, the marginal response of B. pharaonis to the selected environmental variables is reported in Figure A4 in Appendix S2. Of all stressor predictor variables tested, salinity change will be the most important driver modifying Lessepsian NIS distribution pathways (Galil, Marchini, Occhipinti‐Ambrogi, & Ojaveer, ; Rilov & Galil, ). As already known from the literature, this species shows a marked hypersaline affinity (Sarà et al., ) and the forecasted increase in salinity will likely promote the spatial spread of the propagules towards the Western basin.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…By combining and overlapping our maps with outputs from a mechanistic trait‐based approach (Sarà et al., ) and human use layers (aquaculture farms, Brigolin, Porporato, Prioli, & Pastres, ; major ports, international maritime transport hubs, D'Alessandro et al., ) or layers of spatial management measures (e.g. Marine Protected Areas, Galil et al., ; Special Protection Areas, Sarà et al., ), locations predicted to be highly suitable for colonization by B. pharaonis may overlap with protected or highly anthropic areas that are highly likely to receive new propagules. The same exercise can be done using the major shipping routes within the Mediterranean Sea or using the circulation patterns or other local maritime use layers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Multiple stressors facilitate the spread of a non‐indigenous bivalve in the Mediterranean Sea

Sarà

Porporato

Mangano

et al. 2018

Journal of Biogeography

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Aim: The introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS) via man-made corridors connecting previously disparate oceanic regions is increasing globally. However, the environmental and anthropogenic factors facilitating invasion dynamics and their interactions are still largely unknown. This study compiles and inputs available data for the NIS bivalve Brachidontes pharaonis across the invaded biogeographic range in the Mediterranean basin into a species distribution model to predict future spread under a range of marine scenarios.Location: Mediterranean Sea.Methods: A systematic review produced the largest presence database ever assembled to inform the selection of biological, chemical and physical factors linked to the spread of B. pharaonis through the Suez Canal. We carried out a sensitivity analysis to simulate current and future trophic and salinity scenarios. A species distribution model was run to determine key drivers of invasion, quantify interactive impacts arising from a range of trophic states, salinity conditions and climatic scenarios and forecast future trajectories for the spread of NIS into new regions under multiple-parameter scenarios (based on the main factors identified from the systematic review).Results: Impacts on invasion trajectory arising from climate change and interactions with increasing salinity from the new opening of the canal were the primary drivers of expansion across the basin, the effects of which were further enhanced by eutrophication. Predictions of the current distribution were most accurate when multiple stressors were used to drive the model. A habitat suitability index developed at a subcontinental scale from model outputs identified novel favourable conditions for future colonization at specific locations under 2030 and 2050 climatic scenarios.Main conclusions: Future expansion of B. pharaonis will be enhanced by climatefacilitated increased sea temperature, interacting with increasing pressures from salinity and eutrophication. The spatially explicit risk output maps of invasions represent a powerful visual product for use in communication of the spread of NIS and decision-support tools for scientists and policymakers. The suggested approach, the observed distribution pattern and driving processes can be applied to other NIS

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple stressors facilitate the spread of a non‐indigenous bivalve in the Mediterranean Sea

Sarà

Porporato

Mangano

et al. 2018

Journal of Biogeography

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“…These changes, which are taking place across many different taxa and through different regions of the globe, have significant implications for biodiversity, ecosystems, and society (McGeoch & Latombe, 2016) and are considered to be particularly apparent in the Mediterranean, a semi-enclosed sea, which is warming faster than any other marine region in the world (Schroeder, Chiggiato, Bryden, Borghini, & Ben Ismail, 2016;Vargas-Yáñez et al, 2008). In addition, maritime traffic, mariculture, aquarium trade and above all, entries through the Suez Canal (Edelist, Rilov, Golani, Carlton, & Spanier, 2013;Parravicini, Azzurro, Kulbicki, & Belmaker, 2015) contribute to the introduction of a large number of nonindigenous species (hereafter referred as NIS) to this basin (Galil, Marchini, Occhipinti-Ambrogi, & Ojaveer, 2017;Golani et al, 2018;Zenetos et al, 2017), reshaping the structure of biological communities (Albouy et al, 2013(Albouy et al, , 2015(Albouy et al, , 2014Katsanevakis et al, 2017) and impacting biodiversity and fishery resources (Edelist et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate change, biological invasions, and the shifting distribution of Mediterranean fishes: A large‐scale survey based on local ecological knowledge

Azzurro

Sbragaglia

Cerri

et al. 2019

Global Change Biology

115

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Climate change and biological invasions are rapidly reshuffling species distribution, restructuring the biological communities of many ecosystems worldwide. Tracking these transformations in the marine environment is crucial, but our understanding of climate change effects and invasive species dynamics is often hampered by the practical challenge of surveying large geographical areas. Here, we focus on the Mediterranean Sea, a hot spot for climate change and biological invasions to investigate recent spatiotemporal changes in fish abundances and distribution. To this end, we accessed the local ecological knowledge (LEK) of small‐scale and recreational fishers, reconstructing the dynamics of fish perceived as “new” or increasing in different fishing areas. Over 500 fishers across 95 locations and nine different countries were interviewed, and semiquantitative information on yearly changes in species abundance was collected. Overall, 75 species were mentioned by the respondents, mostly warm‐adapted species of both native and exotic origin. Respondents belonging to the same biogeographic sectors described coherent spatial and temporal patterns, and gradients along latitudinal and longitudinal axes were revealed. This information provides a more complete understanding of the shifting distribution of Mediterranean fishes and it also demonstrates that adequately structured LEK methodology might be applied successfully beyond the local scale, across national borders and jurisdictions. Acknowledging this potential through macroregional coordination could pave the way for future large‐scale aggregations of individual observations, increasing our potential for integrated monitoring and conservation planning at the regional or even global level. This might help local communities to better understand, manage, and adapt to the ongoing biotic transformations driven by climate change and biological invaders.

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“…The related guidance developed in the context of the Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC, ) is a step forward, but we would stress the need for more enforceable control of this pathway. Finally, the recent enlargement of the Suez Canal is worrying for a potential increase for Lessepsian introductions into the Mediterranean Sea (Galil et al, ; Galil, Marchini, Occhipinti‐Ambrogi, & Ojaveer, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prioritizing marine invasive alien species in the European Union through horizon scanning

Tsiamis

Azzurro²,

Bariche

et al. 2020

Aquatic Conservation

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1. The disproportionately low presence of marine species in the list of invasive alien species (IAS) of Union concern of the European Union (EU) Regulation 1143/2014 does not fully acknowledge the threat they pose to the EU marine environment.2. In this study, the first EU-scale Horizon Scanning (HS) focusing on marine alien species was performed, aiming to deliver a ranked list of species that should be of high priority for risk assessment (Article 5 of the EU IAS Regulation).3. Species absent from or with a limited distribution in EU marine waters were targeted. In total, 363 alien species were initially screened for HS by a panel of experts, including a broad range of taxonomic groups. Species were scored for their likelihood of arrival, establishment, spread, and impact in EU waters. 4.A consensus workshop ranked 267 species, including a subset of 26 prioritized species. These species are considered to be mainly introduced by shipping (fouling and ballast water), via the Suez Canal, and aquaculture activities. The 26 priority species were also scrutinized in terms of feasibility of their management; 18 of them were suggested for performing risk assessments on the basis of the EU IAS Regulation.5. Since biological invasions are dynamic and connected with accelerated globalization and diversified human activities, we recommend HS to be repeated periodically to review the species already listed and assess new ones.

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The enlargement of the Suez Canal—Erythraean introductions and management challenges

Cited by 106 publications

References 0 publications

Multiple stressors facilitate the spread of a non‐indigenous bivalve in the Mediterranean Sea

Multiple stressors facilitate the spread of a non‐indigenous bivalve in the Mediterranean Sea

Climate change, biological invasions, and the shifting distribution of Mediterranean fishes: A large‐scale survey based on local ecological knowledge

Prioritizing marine invasive alien species in the European Union through horizon scanning

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