From Islands to Networks: Scaling Marine Biodiversity Monitoring and Biosecurity Across the Eastern Tropical Pacific

Marine stations play a critical role as platforms for long-term ecological observation, early detection of emerging threats, and the translation of science into management. The Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS), located within the Galápagos Marine Reserve, operates one of the most comprehensive subtidal monitoring programs in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP), generating standardized biodiversity time series spanning over two decades.Here, we present how this monitoring framework is being scaled beyond a single marine reserve to inform regional coordination across the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR), linking Galápagos (Ecuador), Cocos (Costa Rica), Malpelo and Gorgona (Colombia), and Coiba (Panama). Using harmonized methodologies, shared indicators, and integrated data systems, this network enables cross-site comparisons of ecological change, including responses to climate variability (e.g., El Niño events), shifts in benthic communities, and trends in fish and invertebrate populations.Building on this foundation, we highlight the development of a regional marine biosecurity framework focused on early detection and rapid response (EDRR) to non-native species. By combining standardized field surveys, settlement monitoring, and emerging tools such as eDNA, marine stations are evolving into sentinel nodes for detecting biological invasions at scale.This contribution demonstrates how marine stations can move beyond site-based research to function as coordinated regional observatories, supporting adaptive management, strengthening resilience to climate change, and enabling collaborative responses to shared threats across connected marine ecosystems. We conclude by outlining priority actions to enhance interoperability, data sharing, and policy integration across marine station networks globally.