Líffræðifélag Íslands - biologia.is
Líffræðiráðstefnan 2025
Erindi/veggspjald / Talk/poster E130
Höfundar / Authors: Joana Micael (1), Alfonso Ramos-Esplá (2), Sindri Gíslason (1)
Starfsvettvangur / Affiliations: 1. Náttúrustofa Suðvesturlands, Suðurnesjabær, 2. Research Marine Centre of Santa Pola (CIMAR), University of Alicante, Spain
Kynnir / Presenter: Joana Micael
Marine ecosystems are being profoundly influenced by non-indigenous species (NIS). Due to the ecological, economic, and health challenges posed by NIS introductions, we deployed settlement plates in the main harbours around Iceland as part of a monitoring program designed to gain a broader understanding of NIS richness and assemblage of established fouling species, as well as to facilitate early detection of new incursions. The highest abundance of NIS occurs in the ports of south-western Iceland, where intense maritime traffic and higher sea temperatures enhance the likelihood of establishment. Once established, these species generate a persistent larval supply that sustains local populations and may contribute to biodiversity loss, with concomitant ecological and economic consequences. Interannual variation in dominant species likely reflects the combined effects of environmental conditions, propagule pressure, and biotic interactions. Our findings emphasize the intricate dynamics of fouling assemblages in Icelandic harbours, highlighting the need for persistent monitoring and management under conditions of environmental change and biological invasions.