Le invasioni biologiche nel Mar Mediterraneo:minacce e opportunità

Non-indigenous species represent one of the greatest threats to bio-diversity and ecosystem functioning, altering invaded habitats, competing with native species, and becoming successful invasive organisms. The Mediterranean Sea is a marine biodiversity hotspot, as a consequence, its coasts are densely populated and marine resources are historically exploited. As a result of this intensive exploitation, the basin is exposed to an array of human pressures, and their effects on marine ecosystems are amplified by global climate change. Caulerpa cylindraceaSonder, 1845, is a non-indigenous invasive seaweed widely distributed in coastal habitats within the Mediterranean basin affecting marine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. This work shows the preliminary results obtained through a systematic literature analysis on the consumption of this invasive algal resource by the native species, focusing attention on the benefits and drawbacks for invaded biota and human health. The present review aims to provide knowledge and tools to manage the presence of the invasive seaweed C. cylindracea in the Mediterranean Sea, encouraging an ecosystem-based approach including ecological, economic and social components.