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Aim: On 11 March 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake triggered a massive tsunami that resulted in the largest known rafting event in recorded history. By spring 2012, marine debris began washing ashore along the Pacific coast of the United States and Canada with a wide range of Asian coastal species attached. We used this unique dataset, where the source region, date of dislodgment and landing location are known, to assess the potential for species invasions by transoceanic rafting on marine debris. Location: Northeast Pacific from 20 to 60°N. Time period: Current. Major taxa studied: Forty‐eight invertebrate and algal species recorded on Japanese tsunami marine debris (JTMD). Methods: We developed maximum entropy (MaxEnt) species distribution models for 48 species recorded on JTMD to predict establishment potential along the Pacific coast from 20 to 60°N. Models were compared within the context of historical marine introductions from Japan to this region to validate the emergence of marine debris as a novel vector for species transfer. Results: Overall, 27% (13 species) landed with debris at locations with suitable environmental conditions for establishment and survival, indicating that these species may be able to establish new populations or introduce greater genetic diversity to already established non‐native populations. A further 21 species have an environmental match to areas where tsunami debris likely landed, but was not extensively sampled. Nearly 100 Japanese marine species previously invaded the northeastern Pacific, demonstrating this region's environmental suitability for rafting Japanese biota. Historical invasions from Japan are highest in California and largely known from bays and harbours. Main conclusions: Marine debris is a novel and growing vector for non‐native species introduction. By utilizing a unique dataset of JTMD species, our predictive models show capacity for new transoceanic invasions and can focus monitoring priorities to detect successful long‐distance dispersal across the world's oceans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the importance of scanning for solutions to environmental approach to conserve biological diversity in the U.S. It states that the approach can give people a sense of the quality and quantity of solutions and the conservation priorities and to provide the groundwork for assessing the solution's effectiveness. It mentions that three main threat to test the practicality and usefulness of solution scanning including the creation of oceanic dead zones.

The article presents the recommendations of the Ecological Society of America for U.S. policy and management of biological invasions. Invasions by harmful nonnative species are increasing and damage to ecosystems, economic activity, and human welfare are accumulating. Federal government is required to increase the prevention of invasions, detect and respond to new invasions, control and slow the spread of existing invasions and provide a national center to ensure that efforts are coordinated and cost effective. Scientific and technical advances provide a basis for cost-effective national responses to invasive species. Furthermore, the organization is committed to assist the government and provide scientific advice to improve the aspects of invasive-species management.

Comments on the system of international reserves for the open sea in the U.S. Benefits for the system; Importance of reserves on the open seas; Description of the open ocean reserve concept.

Presents research which analyzed the San Francisco Bay and Delta ecosystem to reveal a large number of exotic species that dominate many habitats. Problem of biological invasions; How species dominate; Ecosystem perhaps being the most invaded estuary in the world; Possible causes.

The article discusses the impact of biological invasion on the environmental, economics, and social aspect in the U.S. and the influence of climate change and environmental degradation in facilitating invasions. It mentions environmental policies enacted by the U.S. Presidents and Congress to prevent biological invasions. Topics include the emergence of agricultural pest in the U.S., the spread of vector-borne diseases, and the need for federal laws on invasion prevention.