The role of marine debris as a vector, dispersal agent, and substrate for non-indigenous species on Oceanic Islands (Northeast Atlantic)

作者：Patrício Ramalhosa, João Gama Monteiro, Sabine Rech, Ignácio Gestoso, Soledad Álvarez, Francesca Gizzi, Paola Parretti, Nuno Castro, Sílvia Almeida, Juan Adrian Teijeiro Jimenez, Macarena Ros, Cláudio Cardoso, Maria João Lima, Rui Caldeira, Joana I. Robalo, James T. Carlton, João Canning‐Clode · 发表于：Marine Pollution Bulletin · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.117732 · 被引用次数：6 · 研究领域：Microplastics and Plastic Pollution、Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies、Marine Ecology and Invasive Species

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 fr...