Marine protected communities against biological invasions: A case study from an offshore island

摘要: Biological invasions are a major threat to the world's biota and considered cause of biodiversity loss. Therefore, world marine policy has recognized need for more protected areas (MPAs) as tool conservation. The present work experimentally evaluated how communities from an offshore island can face settlement and/or expansion nonindigenous species (NIS). First, NIS colonization success in marina was compared by deploying PVC settling plates at Garajau MPA Funchal (SW Madeira Island). Then, were transferred test their resistance invasion under high levels pressure. Results indicated that structure composition fouling differed those collected marina. Interestingly, area showed lower success, suggesting some degree biotic against invasion.