Introducing 'DeNIS': a global database on anthropogenic marine Debris and Non-Indigenous Species

Anthropogenic marine debris (AMD) poses a major threat to marine life, biodiversity, and ecosystems, which is particularly alarming due to its growing abundance, durability, and persistence in the marine environment. In addition to well-studied impacts on marine organisms' health and survival, recent research indicates an additional but less obvious impact: AMD facilitates long-distance and even transoceanic dispersal, acting increasingly as a vector for transport and introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS) globally. AMD may facilitate new introductions but also promote secondary spread of invasions, compounding even further its ecological impact in marine ecosystems. Around the world, opportunistic and targeted sampling has already provided extensive information on marine debris as a vector and the associated species. However, the information is mostly scattered and with no systematic organization or curation. In this context, we launched 'DeNIS': a global database on marine Debris and Non-Indigenous Species designed to compile crucial information on AMD and its epibionts. DeNIS was developed on an easy-to-use platform for data synthesis and functional visuals, integrating past and ongoing measures, and includes a back-office interface for data gathering, classification and rigorous analysis.