Bella S. GALIL, MENACHEM G.
The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History and Israel National Center for Biodiversity
Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Email: bgalil@tauex.tau.ac.il
THE LEVANT - A HOTSPOT, A BEACHHEAD AND A DISPERSAL
HUB OF MARINE ALIEN SPECIES
Abstract
The Israeli shelf serves as an important hotspot, beachhead and dispersal hub for Erythraean
aliens. The spatial and temporal spread of Erythraean aliens in the Mediterranean Sea has
advanced concurrently with successive enlargements of the Suez Canal, rise in mean seawater
temperature, and prevalence, duration, and severity of MHWs increase. Rising temperatures
have already had significant impacts on geographical and depth distribution of Erythraean
aliens, while extirpating and reducing native sessile communities. The unceasing propagule
pressure and rising establishment success of warm-water species, as well as the already present
‘invasion debt’, should be factored into strategic plans for managing Mediterranean nature,
nature’s contributions to people and ‘good quality of life’.
Key-words: Erythraean aliens, Suez Canal, biodiversity change, invasion debt
Introduction
The Contracting Parties to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment
and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean (Barcelona Convention) adopted in 1995
the Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the
Mediterranean (United Nations Environment Programme, 2019). Article 13 of the
Protocol states “The Parties shall take all appropriate measures to regulate the
intentional or accidental introduction of non-indigenous… species to the wild and
prohibit those that may have harmful impacts on the ecosystems, habitats or species in
the area to which this Protocol applies… The Parties shall endeavour to implement all
possible measures to eradicate species that have already been introduced when, after
scientific assessment, it appears that such species cause or are likely to cause damage to
ecosystems, habitats or species in the area to which this Protocol applies.”
Meanwhile, many Erythraean species have become the most conspicuous denizens in
across the Levant Basin, having displaced and replaced native species, thereby reversing
marine conservation efforts and hampering stock recovery of key economically and
ecologically important species. Yet, the ample scientific documentation of Erythraean
bioinvasions in the Mediterranean Sea failed to elicit the implementation of effective
management policies.
The study set out to present the current state of knowledge about the marine introduced
species recorded along the Mediterranean coast of Israel, with particular consideration
to introductions through the Suez Canal. We aim to elucidate their emergent patterns
and consequences. Finally, we aim to draw attention to regional policy and management
initiatives, now underway, and their possible impacts on transboundry amplification of
the grave risk of invasions and associated impacts.
2nd Mediterranean Symposium on the Non-Indigenous Species (Genoa, Italy, 22-23 September 2022)
34
The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History and Israel National Center for Biodiversity
Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Email: bgalil@tauex.tau.ac.il
THE LEVANT - A HOTSPOT, A BEACHHEAD AND A DISPERSAL
HUB OF MARINE ALIEN SPECIES
Abstract
The Israeli shelf serves as an important hotspot, beachhead and dispersal hub for Erythraean
aliens. The spatial and temporal spread of Erythraean aliens in the Mediterranean Sea has
advanced concurrently with successive enlargements of the Suez Canal, rise in mean seawater
temperature, and prevalence, duration, and severity of MHWs increase. Rising temperatures
have already had significant impacts on geographical and depth distribution of Erythraean
aliens, while extirpating and reducing native sessile communities. The unceasing propagule
pressure and rising establishment success of warm-water species, as well as the already present
‘invasion debt’, should be factored into strategic plans for managing Mediterranean nature,
nature’s contributions to people and ‘good quality of life’.
Key-words: Erythraean aliens, Suez Canal, biodiversity change, invasion debt
Introduction
The Contracting Parties to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment
and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean (Barcelona Convention) adopted in 1995
the Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the
Mediterranean (United Nations Environment Programme, 2019). Article 13 of the
Protocol states “The Parties shall take all appropriate measures to regulate the
intentional or accidental introduction of non-indigenous… species to the wild and
prohibit those that may have harmful impacts on the ecosystems, habitats or species in
the area to which this Protocol applies… The Parties shall endeavour to implement all
possible measures to eradicate species that have already been introduced when, after
scientific assessment, it appears that such species cause or are likely to cause damage to
ecosystems, habitats or species in the area to which this Protocol applies.”
Meanwhile, many Erythraean species have become the most conspicuous denizens in
across the Levant Basin, having displaced and replaced native species, thereby reversing
marine conservation efforts and hampering stock recovery of key economically and
ecologically important species. Yet, the ample scientific documentation of Erythraean
bioinvasions in the Mediterranean Sea failed to elicit the implementation of effective
management policies.
The study set out to present the current state of knowledge about the marine introduced
species recorded along the Mediterranean coast of Israel, with particular consideration
to introductions through the Suez Canal. We aim to elucidate their emergent patterns
and consequences. Finally, we aim to draw attention to regional policy and management
initiatives, now underway, and their possible impacts on transboundry amplification of
the grave risk of invasions and associated impacts.
2nd Mediterranean Symposium on the Non-Indigenous Species (Genoa, Italy, 22-23 September 2022)
34