The Galapagos Islands are not immune to invasion by species despite being an archipelago. In fact, more than 50 non-native species have already reached the Galapagos Islands. That is why the Marine Invasions Research Laboratory of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC), in the United States, and the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) announced the launch of the online database of marine non-native species of Galapagos (GalNEMO).
This tool creates a baseline of introduced marine species in Galapagos by synthesizing field research conducted by CDF and SERC scientists, an extensive literature review, and documenting the results.
Non-native species arrive in the Galapagos in garbage such as bottles, sticks or buoys
This online platform will facilitate the exchange of information between researchers, decision makers and other actors involved in conservation, management and public policies, in order to develop effective strategies for the conservation of biodiversity in Galapagos.
The GalNEMO portal is based on the Marine Invasion Research Laboratory’s National Marine Alien Species Information System (NEMESIS) template, which documents introduced non-native marine invertebrates and algae to the United States.
Beginning in 2015, SERC scientists traveled to the Galapagos to conduct standardized studies of local marine organisms along with Inti Keith, Principal Investigator of CDF’s Marine Invasive Species Program, and her team. These studies allow scientists to establish a baseline of marine fouling diversity and community structure, as well as monitor non-native introductions that could reach this fragile ecosystem via ship hulls or other anthropogenic means.
Monitoring populations of exotic species is critical in order to intercept new arrivals or detect changes in ecosystems and is an important aspect of Galapagos conservation efforts.
Galapagos has a 10-year plan to control invasive species
“GalNEMO represents a model for future collaborations to document non-native species with other partners and countries throughout the Americas and the Eastern Tropical Pacific.”, says Greg Ruiz, principal investigator of the SERC Laboratory.
GalNEMO will be part of a larger database network, joining NEMESIS and the PanNEMO portal to track the spread of non-native species.
To use this tool, one should cite: Fofonoff PW, Ruiz GM, Steves B, Keith I, Carlton JT. 2022. Galapagos Non-native Estuarine and Marine Organisms (GalNEMO) System.
“Together we are working to replicate this platform with the other Marine Protected Areas to improve knowledge of marine bioinvasions and help advance biosecurity programs throughout the region.says Keith. (YO)
Source: Eluniverso
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