Non-native species in marine protected areas: Global distribution patterns

Area of Science:

• Marine Biology
• Ecology
• Conservation Science

Background:

• Marine protected areas (MPAs) are crucial for safeguarding marine environments.
• Marine non-native species (NNS) pose a significant threat to biodiversity and ecosystems, even within MPAs.
• Limited comprehensive data exists on NNS inventories, distribution, and influencing factors within MPAs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compile a global database of marine NNS occurrences within MPAs.
• To identify key factors driving the distribution and richness of NNS in MPAs.
• To understand the interplay between environmental variables, human activities, and NNS invasions.

Main Methods:

• Database creation: Compiled over 15,000 occurrence records for 2,714 marine NNS across 16,401 MPAs worldwide.
• Statistical modeling: Utilized model selection with proxies for colonization pressure, environmental variables, and MPA characteristics.
• Environmental analysis: Assessed the association between various environmental factors and NNS richness.

Main Results:

• Sea surface temperature was the strongest environmental predictor of NNS richness, with higher temperatures correlating with more NNS.
• Human activities were identified as facilitators for species overcoming geographical and migration barriers.
• The study highlights a global trend of increased NNS richness in warmer waters.

Conclusions:

• Climate change, specifically rising sea surface temperatures, exacerbates the risk of marine invasions.
• Human activities interact with environmental factors to influence NNS distribution patterns.
• MPAs require adaptive management strategies to address increasing vulnerability to biological invasions driven by climate change and human influence.