A low number of introduced marine species in the tropics: a case study from Singapore
Wells, F.; Tan, K.S.; Todd, P.A.; Jaafar, Z.; Yeo, D.C.J. (2019). A low number of introduced marine species in the tropics: a case study from Singapore. Manag. Biol. Inv. 9(3): 227-237. https://dx.doi.org/10.3391/mbi.2018.9.3.05
In: Management of Biological Invasions. Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre (REABIC): Helsinki. ISSN 1989-8649; e-ISSN 1989-8649, more
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| Keywords |
Australia, Western Australia
Biofouling
Shipping
Western Australia [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal |
| Author keywords |
introduced marine pests; invasion risk; Ballast water; biotic resistance; Pilbara; Southeast Asia, Indo-West Pacific |
| Authors | | Top |
- Wells, F.
- Tan, K.S.
- Todd, P.A.
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| Abstract |
Non-indigenous marine species (NIMS) are being transported around the world by anthropogenic mechanisms, particularly by vessels in ballast water or as biofouling. A small subset of NIMS become invasive marine species (IMS) and can cause considerable damage to local marine ecosystems. Understanding where NIMS originate, how they are transported, and their effects in the new environments are crucial to the management of IMS. As one of the busiest ports in the world that handles tens of thousands of high invasion-risk vessels annually, Singapore is regarded as being at very high risk for the introduction of NIMS and IMS. However, a compilation of 3,650 marine invertebrates, fishes and plants revealed that only 22 species have been confirmed as NIMS. The results are consistent with a growing dataset that suggests biodiverse marine ecosystems in the tropical Indo- West Pacific are less susceptible to introductions than previously thought. |
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