Building on gAMBI in ports for a challenging biological invasions scenario: Blue-gNIS as a proof of concept

• Published in: Marine environmental research Vol. 169; p. 105340
• Main Authors: Ibabe, A., Miralles, L., Carleos, C.E., Soto-López, V., Menéndez-Teleña, D., Bartolomé, M., Montes, H.J., González, M., Dopico, E., Garcia-Vazquez, E., Borrell, Y.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-07-2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: AMBI; Anthropogenic factors; Aquatic ecosystems; Biodiversity; Biological invasions; Biotic index; Blue-gNIS; Blueports; Ecological effects; Environmental DNA; gAMBI; Genetics; Introduced species; Invasions; Invasive species; Invasiveness; Macroinvertebrates; Metabarcoding; Native organisms; Pollution; Quality assessment; Species classification; Water quality; Water quality assessments; Zoobenthos; gAMBI; Metabarcoding; Invasive species; Blue-gNIS; Biotic index; Blueports; AMBI
• ISSN: 0141-1136; 1879-0291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105340

The status of aquatic ecosystems has historically been monitored by the use of biotic indices. However, few biotic measures consider the presence of non-indigenous species as a sign of anthropogenic pollution and habitat disturbance even when this may seriously affect the metric scores and ecological status classifications of an environment. Today, biological invasions are currently one of the greatest threats to biodiversity and sustainable blue economies around the world. In this work, environmental assessments were conducted in the Port of Gijon, Northern Spain, using eDNA metabarcoding, and the gAMBI (genetics based AZTI Marine Biotic Index) was estimated. Results indicate a high/good ecological status within the port. However, nine non-indigenous species and five invasive species were found, and a modification of the gAMBI that includes species invasiveness was proposed: Blue-gNIS. The index was preliminary tested against existing validated indices such as gAMBI, BENTIX (based on the ecology of macroinvertebrates) and ALEX (based on the invasiveness of the species). Blue-gNIS classified the port in a good ecological status and showed its potential usefulness to achieve more complete water quality assessments of ports.
•eDNA Metabarcoding showed to be an effective tool for conducting environmental evaluations in ports and coastal waters.•The Blue-gNIS index is proposed, which considers exotic species to perform environmental assessments of marine ecosystems.•A preliminary calibration showed significant correlations among Blue-gNIS and other existing indices such as gAMBI or ALEX.•Fourteen exotic species were detected and the port of Gijon was classified in a good ecological status by the Blue-gNIS.