Monitoring Non-indigenous Species in Port Habitats: First Application of a Standardized North American Protocol in the Mediterranean Sea

Baseline port monitoring for fouling communities is an essential tool to assess non-indigenous species (NIS) introduction and spread, but a standardized coordinated method among Mediterranean European countries has not yet been adopted. In this context, it important test protocols that allow the collection of directly comparable data, replicated across time space. Here, first in Sea, we tested protocol developed by Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) used now several countries. The 3-year survey (2018–2020) was conducted Gulf La Spezia (Ligurian Italy), with deployment total 50 PVC panels per year five different sites (a commercial harbor, three marinas site proximity shellfish farm). A 79 taxa were identified, including 11 NIS, ranging from zero seven NIS each panel. comparison previous surveys, new arrivals observed Spezia: Botrylloides cf. niger , Branchiomma sp., luctuosum Paraleucilla magna Watersipora arcuata . At end monitoring, mean richness? percent cover measured, both measures differed sites, higher values two harbor. Among years, richness relatively stable at site. structure influenced more native cryptogenic than NIS. Moreover, density artificial structures reliable predictor or proxy local abundance. This application SERC demonstrates pros cons, detection reported here. Further direct comparisons other tools are recommended, additional tests its effectiveness biogeographical area encouraged. broader standard methods temporal spatial scales basin should be implemented, providing critical data needed changes communities.