Abstract

This study aims to summarize the history of biological invasions by alien macrophytes in the Mediterranean Sea from 1880 to 2020 years on a decadal basis. At the same time, it has been analyzed the impacts of sea warming and the increasing trend of sea surface temperature affecting invasive processes. The high number of Not-Indigenous Species and Invasive Alien Species, widespread in the basin, needs a continuous and updated monitoring of the process. In this way, the traditional recording methods, realized by scientific surveys are, actually, improved by Citizen Science activities very useful to study and update the presence of invasive allochthonous macrophytes widespread in the Mediterranean. From the resulting data, it has been highlighted the large diffusion of thermophilic and invasive alien macrophytes, by tropical and subtropical origin, coming from Indo-Pacific regions. Finally, to manage this invasive process, it is necessary to have a close collaboration between Science, Policy, and Citizenship.

Keywords:Biological invasions; Macrophytes; Warming; Non-Indigenous species; Invasive alien species; Citizen science