Location and building material determine fouling assemblages within marinas: A case study in Madeira Island (NE Atlantic, Portugal)

Marinas are hubs for non-indigenous species (NIS) and constitute the nodes of a network of highly modified water bodies (HMWB) connected by recreational maritime traffic. Floating structures, such as pontoons, are often the surfaces with higher NIS abundance inside marinas and lead the risk for NIS introduction, establishment and spread. However, there is still little information on how the location within the marina and the substratum type can influence the recruitment of fouling assemblages depending on water parameters and substratum chemical composition. In this study, fouling recruitment was studied using an experimental approach with three materials (basalt, concrete and HDPE plastic) in two sites (close and far to the entrance) in two marinas of Madeira Island (NE Atlantic, Portugal). The structure of benthic assemblages after 6-and 12-months colonization, as well as biotic abundance, NIS abundance, richness, diversity, assemblages' volume, biomass and assemblages' morphology were explored. Differences between marinas were the main source of variation for both 6-and 12 -month assemblages, with both marinas having different species composition and biomass. The inner and outer sites of both marinas varied in terms of structure and heterogeneity of assemblages and heterogeneity of morphological traits, but assemblages did not differ among substrata. However, basalt had a higher species richness and diversity while concrete showed a higher bioreceptivity in terms of total biotic coverage than the rest of materials. Overall, differences between and within marinas could be related to their structural morphology. This study can be valuable for management of urban ecosystems, towards an increase in the environmental and ecological status of existing marinas and their HMWB and mitigation coastal ecosystems degradation.

Automated summary

Marinas serve as hubs for non-indigenous species and are part of a network of highly modified water bodies connected by recreational maritime traffic. Floating structures, particularly pontoons, have higher abundance of non-indigenous species within marinas and pose a risk for their introduction, establishment, and spread. This study investigated the influence of marina location and substratum type on fouling assemblages recruitment, exploring water parameters and substratum chemical composition. The findings highlight the importance of marina differences and structural morphology in shaping assemblages, with variations observed in species composition, biomass, and structure. Understanding these factors can contribute to better management of urban ecosystems and mitigating coastal ecosystems degradation.