A biosecurity baseline for transboundary management of marine biological invasions in the ROPME Sea Area
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Marine and brackish-water ecosystems are increasingly degraded by cumulative human pressures, with biological invasions representing a major driver of biodiversity loss, ecosystem disruption, and socio-economic impacts. Effective management requires regionally harmonised and scientifically robust baselines capable of supporting coordinated transboundary decision-making. Here we present the first consolidated marine biosecurity baseline for the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) Sea Area, a transboundary region characterised by extreme environmental conditions and increasing biosecurity pressure. A total of 192 species (123 extant and 69 horizon), including birds, fishes, tunicates, invertebrates, plants, and chromists, were systematically reviewed, taxonomically validated, and cross-checked against major databases and Member State inputs. Re-evaluation of a previous regional screening resulted in 24 species (≈18%) requiring status correction or exclusion. The resulting consolidated inventory comprised 130 validated retained species supplemented by 62 additional taxa. Extant species were classified according to biogeographic origin and impact status, whereas horizon species were evaluated based on introduction pathways, environmental suitability, and projected climate trends. Risk screening under current and projected climate conditions identified 39 extant species as very high risk, providing an operational basis for progression to full risk assessment and coordinated regional biosecurity management.
Source: Figshare
Authors: Lorenzo Vilizzi, Ali Mansoor Abbas, Maryam A. Mubarak, Mohammad Hadi Alavi, Mahtab Shojaei, Daryoush Moghaddas, Hossein Rahmani, Ahmed A. R. Albu Salih, Mohammed F. A. Al-Khayyat, Abbas J. Al-Faisal, Aisha F. Al-Marhoun, Ali H. Abdulhussain, Jumana Alkhamees, Qusaie E. Karam, Wafa'A. Behbehani, Mohammed Al Rezaiqi, Muna Al Tarshi, Salman F. Al-Dosari, Amal M. Al Jamaei, Mohammed Elnaiem A. El Mahdi, Abdirahman A. Mohamed, Eman I. Sabbagh, Ebrahim A. Jamali, Nahla Mezhoud, Obaid A. H. Al Shamsi, Zainab Al-Wazzan
Language: English
Subfield: Global and Planetary Change
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7167828636