A.M.A. Adriatic Marine Aliens: Dissemination and environmental education on the presence of marine alien species in the port of Ravenna

In recent decades the number of alien species in the Mediterranean Sea has increased rapidly, exceeding 1,000. One of the most important vectors of introduction is maritime traffic. The port of Ravenna is one of the most active ports in the Adriatic Sea, with the navigable Candiano canal connecting the sea to the city of Ravenna. In the frame of the European ARMS program (ARMS-MBON) several alien species were detected along the Canal. The artist working on initiatives produced scientific illustrations of 16 alien species: 5 Arthropoda, 5 Mollusca, 3 Annelida, 2 Chordata and 1 Ctenophora. Illustrations were included in a booklet accompanied by information on their biological and ecological characteristics, distribution, and vectors of introduction in the Mediterranean. Web site and memory game with species illustrations were created and presented to school children, youth and adult public during the European Researchers Night 2022. A questionnaire was distributed to assess the knowledge and perception of participants on marine alien species. More than half of the people (68%) know what alien species are, but perceptions on pathways of introduction and impacts which these species have on environment and humans are underestimated. Many people consider alien species to be part of biodiversity, but only 34% have a clear understanding of the biodiversity concept. It emerges the need to include these topics in school programs and increase dissemination activities among citizens.