Monitoring of sessile and mobile epifauna - Considerations for non-indigenous species

Okko Outinen; Tiia Forsström; Juho Yli-Rosti; Outi Vesakoski; Maiju Lehtiniemi

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.02.055

Monitoring of sessile and mobile epifauna - Considerations for non-indigenous species

Mar Pollut Bull. 2019 Apr:141:332-342. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.02.055. Epub 2019 Mar 5.

Authors

Okko Outinen¹, Tiia Forsström², Juho Yli-Rosti³, Outi Vesakoski⁴, Maiju Lehtiniemi³

Affiliations

¹ Marine Research Centre, Finnish Environment Institute, Latokartanonkaari 11, 00790 Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: okko.outinen@ymparisto.fi.
² Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland.
³ Marine Research Centre, Finnish Environment Institute, Latokartanonkaari 11, 00790 Helsinki, Finland.
⁴ Archipelago Research Institute, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland.

PMID: 30955741
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.02.055

Abstract

The present study aimed to develop monitoring methods for shallow water sessile and mobile epifauna with the main focus on enhancing the chance of early detection for new non-indigenous species (NIS) invasions. The field sampling was conducted between June and September in 2012, in the Archipelago Sea (Finland). The tested monitoring methods included baited traps that capture organisms and habitat collectors that provide habitat and refuges for organisms, as well as fouling plates. Catch efficiency of a trap/collector was defined as the number of NIS and all species caught, including their abundances. The American collector with oyster shells (habitat collector) caught the highest number of NIS, and their use is recommended in all places, where oyster shells are easily accessible. Sampling of all habitats of interest between 1 and 2 m depth is recommended with at least three habitat collectors per site.

Keywords: Aquatic NIS; Fouling plates; Habitat collector; Management; Sampling methods.

MeSH terms

Animals
Aquatic Organisms / isolation & purification*
Ecosystem*
Environmental Monitoring / methods*
Finland
Introduced Species*
Oceans and Seas