A baseline survey to document the distribution and abundance of native and non-native barnacle species in Port Canaveral, Florida

Abstract

Global shipping is a common vector of non-native species (NNS), especially biofouling organisms. Ports with heavy ship traffic can contain a higher proportion of NNS compared to surrounding coastal habitats. Port Canaveral, Florida, is a busy and growing port, but little is known about the native and non-native species present. A baseline survey was designed to identify barnacle species, conspicuous members of the biofouling communities growing on structures in the port, and determine their origin status (i.e., native or NNS). In addition to species identity, the relative abundance of each species and NNS at five different sites during two time periods was assessed. Eight species of barnacles were identified, three of which are non-native in Florida. Barnacle communities differed by site and time period, with a significant interaction between the two factors. During both time periods, NNS comprised more than 90% of the barnacles at four of the sites. While this survey provides a baseline for barnacles present at Port Canaveral, Florida, expanding the surveys to include other organisms will give a more complete view of the number of NNS present at the port, supporting managers’ future assessment of community changes.