Exploring visual methods for monitoring marine non-indigenous species colonizing artificial structures in the Madeira archipelago (NE Atlantic)

Abstract

The introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS) poses a significant threat to biodiversity in coastal communities globally, with maritime traffic serving as a primary vector for introducing these species into new habitats. Managing potential new marine invasions begins in harbours and marinas, where artificial structures are the first step towards establishing new habitats. In this study, we aimed to examine and compare the performance of three methods: Plate, Photo quadrate, and a new Video approach, using image analysis for monitoring fouling communities in artificial structures, with a specific focus on NIS in marinas. Additionally, we evaluated attributes for each method, including cost, area, deployment/sampling time, and logistics, to determine the most reliable, efficient, and affordable method with respect to species richness (S) and cover (N). The video (VID) method performed similarly to the plate (PLA) method in species identification and outperformed the photo (PHO) method. The VID method represents a novel and faster approach for monitoring NIS in artificial structures, offering several advantages. It allows data gathering that can be performed by non-taxonomic experts, facilitating rapid detection and intervention in managing marine invasions in port environments. By assessing the effectiveness of these methods, we sought to contribute to developing improved strategies and faster approaches for monitoring and mitigating the impact of NIS in coastal communities.