Manuela D'Amen, a researcher at the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), is leading the project “Updating the Occurrences of Mediterranean Exotic Fish for the European Digital Twin of the Ocean.” The Mediterranean Sea is the most heavily invaded marine region in the world, yet data on exotic fish species remain fragmented and difficult to access.
To address this gap, the ORMEF (Occurrence Records of Mediterranean Exotic Fish) database was created to compile more than a century of geo-referenced observations. Its latest version—hosted on the LifeWatch Italy platform—includes 4,015 records collected between 1896 and 2020 across 20 countries, covering 188 fish taxa and enriched with detailed metadata.
This work is one of the ten winning projects from the second DTO-BioFlow Open Call. The interview was recorded during the exclusive data training workshop in Paris, held from 3–5 June 2025. The immersive event brought together experts and project teams for hands-on sessions in data transformation, quality control, metadata management, and collaborative discussions, refining methodologies and strengthening connections across the growing marine biodiversity data network.
Read the full written interview
Who are you, and what is the name of your institute?
My name is Manuela D’Amen. I am a researcher at ISPRA, the Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research. I’m an ecologist, and my work has focused largely on spatial ecology and species distribution modelling. Today, I apply these disciplines to biodiversity protection and conservation.
I am also working on invasive fish species in the Mediterranean Sea, and on how Copernicus environmental data can be used to support environmental protection. ISPRA is a large institution with many working groups, and it collaborates closely with the National Research Council of Italy (CNR). Together with CNR, we are carrying out a project aimed at updating our knowledge on the distribution of invasive fish in the Mediterranean.
Why is the Mediterranean a key area of focus?
The Mediterranean Sea is one of the most invaded marine regions in the world. Our work focuses on collecting data on invasive fish species. These data points already exist across many scientific publications, but they are spread out and difficult to access.
By bringing all these published observations together into a single comprehensive database, we can gain a much clearer, global picture of how invasive species are spreading throughout the Mediterranean.
What does the new database allow you to understand?
What is particularly valuable about the database is that it enables us to explore the invasion process from both a spatial and temporal perspective. We have developed a new geoportal where every point represents an occurrence of an invasive species.
This allows us to track the spread of invasions from as early as the late 19th century up to today. We can visualise when and where species first appeared, how the rate of invasion has accelerated—especially in recent years—and we can analyse the temporal dimension of each species’ expansion.
This information is essential for understanding how invasions may continue to evolve, and which species are likely to spread further in the future.
How do environmental layers, such as those from Copernicus, enhance this work?
The geoportal allows us to overlay different environmental layers—such as temperature and salinity—from the Copernicus Programme. We can explore how these variables have changed in the past, and how they may change in the future.
By coupling species occurrences with abiotic layers, we can model invasion processes more effectively and begin to predict future trends. This is crucial for planning conservation strategies and preparing for the impacts of invasive species.
Who are the primary users of this database, and how can it support research and policy?
Researchers are the first group who will benefit. Having a unified, large-scale picture of invasive species distributions allows them to explore the drivers of invasion and how these drivers have changed across decades. Initially, invasion was slow, but it has accelerated significantly.
Combining spatial and temporal data with environmental variables helps researchers understand why invasions occur and how they may develop—information that can ultimately guide policymakers.
This can inform new regulations, adaptation strategies, and management plans. Since invasive species impact not only ecology but also the economy and social fabric of Mediterranean coastal communities, understanding their dynamics is essential.
The database is also a valuable tool for public communication. The geoportal includes pages dedicated to individual species, with information on their characteristics and invasion histories. This helps raise awareness and makes the issue more accessible to the wider public.
What will participating in this project and the Digital Twin Ocean enable?
This project will allow us to update the database to 2025, which is vital because the invasion process is extremely fast. New species enter the Mediterranean regularly, and previously established species continue to expand. Continuous monitoring and updates are essential.
We are very happy to contribute to the Digital Twin of the Ocean. Using advanced digital and AI technologies for environmental protection is incredibly important, and being part of this initiative will also benefit our own project.
What is your perspective on the Digital Twin Ocean initiative?
I already knew about the Digital Twin Ocean through my work with Copernicus services, and I’m aware that it is part of a broader ambition to build a Digital Twin of the Earth. It is an ambitious goal, but also a groundbreaking one.
These tools can ultimately support policymakers in managing environmental protection and adapting to human-driven changes. From a research perspective, we are very excited about the new tools that will emerge from the Digital Twin Ocean. They will provide new insights into invasion processes and may help us understand interactions within ecosystems more deeply.