Global ecological impacts of marine exotic species

Exotic species are a growing global ecological threat; however, their overall effects are insufficiently understood. While some exotic species are implicated in many species extinctions, others can provide benefits to the recipient communities. Here, we performed a meta-analysis to quantify and synthesize the ecological effects of 76 exotic marine species (about 6% of the listed exotics) on ten variables in marine communities. These species caused an overall significant, but modest in magnitude (as indicated by a mean effect size of g < 0.2), decrease in ecological variables. Marine primary producers and predators were the most disruptive trophic groups of the exotic species. Approximately 10% (that is, 2 out of 19) of the exotic species assessed in at least three independent studies had significant impacts on native species. Separating the innocuous from the disruptive exotic species provides a basis for triage efforts to control the marine exotic species that have the most impact, thereby helping to meet Aichi Biodiversity Target 9 of the Convention on Biological Diversity.Fil: Anton, Andrea. King Abdullah University Of Science And Technology; Arabia SauditaFil: Geraldi, Nathan R.. King Abdullah University Of Science And Technology; Arabia SauditaFil: Lovelock, Catherine E.. University of Queensland; Australia. The University of Queensland; AustraliaFil: Apostolaki, Eugenia T.. Hellenic Centre For Marine Research; GreciaFil: Bennett, Scott. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados; EspañaFil: Cebrian, Just. University Of South Alabama; Estados Unidos. Dauphin Island Sea Laboratory; Estados Unidos. Mississippi State University; Estados UnidosFil: Krause-Jensen, Dorte. University Aarhus; DinamarcaFil: Marbà, Nuria. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados; EspañaFil: Martinetto, Paulina Maria del Rosario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Pandolfi, John M.. University of Queensland; AustraliaFil: Santana-Garcon, Julia. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados; EspañaFil: Duarte, Carlos M.. King Abdullah University Of Science And Technology; Arabia Saudit