Public attention on the invasive lionfish helps monitor its ecological impact in real time

A new study from the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC) has demonstrated that public interest in the lionfish (Pterois miles), an invasive species native to the Indo-Pacific, is aiding in monitoring its spread nearly in real time.

The study, published recently in the journal Biological Invasions, analyzed Google search volumes, highlighting that digital data is a valuable tool for improving regional conservation and management strategies.

Recent studies confirm that the lionfish is solidifyieng its presence in the eastern Mediterranean, and is now even being detected in colder waters where it was initially not expected to thrive. Consequently, in recent years, it has garnered public attention across the Mediterranean basin, where it is severely disrupting local ecosystems and has caused significant damage to native fauna.

“Our study demonstrates that it is possible to monitor the spread of invasive species by observing how and when society shows interest in them through the analysis of publicly available digital data. This could transform how we approach the conservation and management of these species,” explains Lara Fazzari (ICM-CSIC), the study’s lead author.

The importance of public perception

It has been known that invasive species like the lionfish have significant ecological and socio-economic impacts, and that public perception of these species can vary over time and between countries. However, analyzing digital data to understand public interest and social responses to these ecological issues, particularly in marine environments, has been a relatively unexplored area.

The lionfish is a clear example of biological invasion in the Mediterranean, having arrived primarily through the Suez Canal, a phenomenon known as Lessepsian migration. Due to its predatory nature, this species threatens marine biodiversity by preying on native species.

The methodology employed in this study falls within emerging research fields such as conservation culturomics and iEcology, which use digital data to study interactions between humans and nature. This approach has proven useful not only in the Mediterranean but also in other regions with invasive species, such as Japan and the United States.

“The use of Google search volumes as an indicator of public interest is relatively new, but its potential is enormous. It allows us to quickly access large amounts of spatial and temporal data generated by internet users, facilitating the understanding of social responses to biological invasions and helping to guide conservation efforts at both local and regional levels,” says Valerio Sbragaglia, the research coordinator.

The study concludes that countries affected by the lionfish invasion show greater public interest compared to those where the species has not yet arrived. However, attention patterns do not always align with the exact timing of the species’ arrival, suggesting that socio-political and cultural factors also influence public perception and response to these invasions.

In summary, this work opens new possibilities for monitoring and managing invasive species through digital tools: “The ability to track public attention in real time could represent a paradigm shift in the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems globally,” conclude the authors.