RT journal article
T1 The role of marine debris as a vector, dispersal agent, and substrate for non-indigenous species on Oceanic Islands (Northeast Atlantic)
A1 Ramalhosa, Patrício
A1 Monteiro, João Gama
A1 Rech, Sabine
A1 Gestoso García, Ignacio José
A1 Álvarez, Soledad
A1 Gizzi, Francesca
A1 Parretti, Paola
A1 Castro, Nuno
A1 Almeida, Silvia
A1 López Jiménez, Jesús
A1 Ros, Macarena
A1 Cardoso, Cláudio
A1 Lima, Maria Joao
A1 Caldeira, Rui
A1 Robalo, Joana I.
A1 Carlton, James T.
A1 Canning-Clode, João
A2 Biología
K1 Marine litter
K1 Floating
K1 Seafloor
K1 Beached
K1 Plastic
K1 Biofouling
K1 Rafting
AB Marine debris (MD) can be a transport vector for diverse marine communities, including non-indigenous species (NIS). This study assessed MD potential role as a substrate for colonization and dispersal vector for NIS in the Madeira Archipelago (NE Atlantic) by examining three MD categories: floating (FMD), seafloor (SMD), and beached (BMD). Opportunistic sampling, conducted in collaboration with local maritime stakeholders, documented MD sightings with photographs and GPS coordinates. A total of 92 MD items were inspected, revealing 108 fouling species across 11 phyla, with 13 % identified as NIS. SMD exhibited the highest proportion of NIS (9.6 %), followed by BMD (4.4 %) and FMD (3.9 %). Notably, the study provides evidence that FMD functions as both a substrate and a dispersal vector for NIS in Madeira waters. Combining biogeographic analyses, oceanographic modelling, and MD identification marks, this study highlighted the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre's currents as key pathways, transporting MD items from the Wider Caribbean, the North American east coast, and the Iberian Peninsula to Madeira within 2–3 years. These findings emphasize Madeira's dual role as both a recipient and exporter of MD, with implications for NIS introductions and secondary spread. This study underscores the urgent need for standardized monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and proactive MD management strategies to mitigate NIS introductions and protect sensitive marine ecosystems like Macaronesia from the ecological risks of biological invasions.
PB Elsevier
SN 1879-3363
YR 2025
FD 2025-02-27
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/36644
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/36644
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 13-nov-2026