Biological invasions in marine systems pose significant challenges, necessitating early detection and effective management for successful eradication. Tubastraea coccinea, a highly invasive scleractinian coral, has successfully invaded the Western Atlantic region. Typically introduced through vectors such as maritime traffic and oil and gas industries, this fouling organism displays a strong affinity for caves, crevices, and the undersides of large boulders in natural systems. However, the specific role of these geomorphological features in its invasion dynamics remains unclear. In this study, we validate a newly developed visual assessment protocol aimed at quantifying these fine-scale geomorphological features using structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry. Our findings reveal no significant observer effect between different observers and SfM estimates across all study sites. This demonstrates the successful implementation of the newly developed protocol in the field, enabling the accurate quantification of geomorphological features associated with T. coccinea at a fine scale. The future application of this protocol holds great potential to advance our understanding of the invasion dynamics of Tubastraea coccinea and provide valuable insights for its effective management and eradication efforts.
Keywords: Biological invasions, Tubastraea coccinea, marine systems, visual assessment protocol, geomorphological features, structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry.
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