Global ecological impacts of marine exotic species

Andrea Anton Gamazo, Nathan Geraldi, Catherine E Lovelock, Eugenia T Apostolaki, Scott Bennett, Just Cebrian, Dorte Krause-Jensen, Nuria Marbà, Paulina Martinetto, John M Pandolfi, Julia Santana-Garcon, Carlos M. Duarte

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

143 Scopus citations

Abstract

Exotic species are a growing global ecological threat; however, their overall effects are insufficiently understood. While some exotic species are implicated in many species extinctions, others can provide benefits to the recipient communities. Here, we performed a meta-analysis to quantify and synthesize the ecological effects of 76 exotic marine species (about 6% of the listed exotics) on ten variables in marine communities. These species caused an overall significant, but modest in magnitude (as indicated by a mean effect size of g < 0.2), decrease in ecological variables. Marine primary producers and predators were the most disruptive trophic groups of the exotic species. Approximately 10% (that is, 2 out of 19) of the exotic species assessed in at least three independent studies had significant impacts on native species. Separating the innocuous from the disruptive exotic species provides a basis for triage efforts to control the marine exotic species that have the most impact, thereby helping to meet Aichi Biodiversity Target 9 of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)787-800
Number of pages14
JournalNature Ecology & Evolution
Volume3
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 8 2019

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