The dataset reports 1) Bibliographic information of each original publication of exotic species impact; 2) number of replicates for controls and experimental treatments; 3) mean ± SD of control and experimental treatments; 4) Hedges’ g effect size and variation of impact; 5) Descriptive information of the recipient sites including latitude, longitude, depth; 6) Descriptive information of the study, including whether it was mensurative of manipulative in the field or laboratory, the level of organization of recorded impacts and the response variable; 7) Descriptive information of the exotic species, including species name, taxonomic group and trophic level; 8) Descriptive information on the recipient species, including taxonomic group and trophic level; 9) Thermal characterization of the recipient site; 10) Latitudinal and thermal characterization of the exotic species range of origin (RO); 11) Characterization of warming projections in the recipient site under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 projections.

Here we provide data on the ecological impacts of exotic marine species on recipient native ecosystems and characterise the thermal niche of both the recipient sites and each exotic species range of origin (RO). In addition, we provide the summertime warming trajectories of the recipient sites under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 emission scenarios. Together, this dataset characterises the ecological impacts of exotic marine species and the climatic context under which these impacts occur. Overall this database represents 108 studies that have measured impacts of exotic species on recipient marine ecosystems where they were introduced, encompassing 748 observations from 80 sites and 50 species, ranging from primary producers (e.g. seagrass, macroalgae) to predators (e.g. fish, crustaceans, annelids).

S.B. received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 659246. S.B., J.S-G and N.M. received funding from the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (MedShift, CGL2015-71809-P) and Fundación BBVA (project Interbioclima). J.M.P. received funding from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies (CE140100020). D.K.-J. received funding from the Independent Research Fund Denmark (CARMA; 8021-00222B).

Author contributions: S.B, J.S-G, N.M and C.M.D. conceived and designed the study. A.A., N.R.G., C.E.L., E.T.A., J.C., D.K-J., N.M., P.M., J.M.P., and J.S-G. constructed the exotic species impacts data set. S.B. and J.S-G., compiled the exotic species range-of-origin dataset and G.J. compiled and analyzed the observed and projected ocean temperature data. S.B. and J.S-G performed the data analyses with contributions from all coauthors.

Peer reviewed