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Developing innovative methods to face aquatic invasions in Europe: the Aquainvad-ED project
This conference has provided a venue for the exchange of information on various aspects of aquatic invasive species since its inception in 1990. The conference continues to provide an opportunity for dialog between academia, industry and environmental regulators. Abstract Aquatic Invasive Alien Species (AIAS) are increasing due to the synergistic effects of climate change and habitat destruction. AIAS can heavily impact biodiversity and human health, causing a loss of ecosystem services; therefore, their control and management have now become a priority, particularly in the light of the new EU regulation 1143/2014 on invasive alien species. The main research goal of the Innovative Training Network Marie Skłodowska-Curie Aquainvad-ED is to exploit the application of innovative tools and the power of citizen science for early detection, control and management of AIAS. Eight early stage researchers are involved in Aquainvad-ED, engaged in four main research themes: (1) development and application of novel methods for early detection of AIAS; (2) identification of vectors of introduction and pathways of dispersal; (3) impacts of freshwater and marine invaders; and (4) risk assessment and control of AIAS. In order to develop multidisciplinary approaches to address these issues, the fellows are working within an international consortium (UK, Spain, Italy) composed of scientists and conservation practitioners from three universities (Swansea University, Universidad de Oviedo, Università degli Studi di Firenze), one technological institute (AZTI), two governmental agencies (Natural Resources Wales and Cardiff Harbour Authority), one NGO (Wye & Usk Foundation) and five SMEs working in fundamental and applied aspects of AIAS (Neoalgae, Natural Applications, NEMO, Ecohydros, and Itinera C.E.R.T.A).
Aquatic Invasions, 2014
A good understanding of the mechanisms and magnitude of the impact of invasive alien species on ecosystem services and biodiversity is a prerequisite for the efficient prioritisation of actions to prevent new invasions or for developing mitigation measures. In this review, we identified alien marine species that have a high impact on ecosystem services and biodiversity in European seas, classified the mechanisms of impact, commented on the methods applied for assessing the impact and the related inferential strength, and reported on gaps in available information. Furthermore, we have proposed an updated inventory of 87 marine species in Europe, representing 13 phyla, which have a documented high impact on ecosystem services or biodiversity.
Identifying the top issues of marine invasive alien species in Europe
Management of Biological Invasions, 2014
Stemming from a recent freshwater invasives conference, identified 'the top 20 issues' that relate to invasive alien species (IAS) management in Europe. With a view to complement and balance the issues highlighted in their account, we offer six important additions that relate to the marine environment. These are: preventive measures, concerns of loss of taxonomic expertise and species identity, gaps in the knowledge of certain taxa and regions, inconsistencies of terminology, need for validation of data and the importance of concentrating on pathways, and their vectors, and levels of certainty associated with these routes.
2009
Invasive alien species' means an alien species whose introduction and/or spread threaten biological diversity. 'Alien species' refers to a species, subspecies or lower taxon, introduced outside its natural past or present distribution; includes any part, gametes, seeds, eggs, or propagules of such species that might survive and subsequently reproduce. NB: some international/regional/national instruments (e.g. Conventions) use the terms 'exotic species', 'non-indigenous species' or 'non-native species' when referring to 'alien species'. In this report the term 'alien species' has been used throughout the text, but where applicable the references used in the original texts have been maintained. 'Introduction' refers to the movement by human agency, indirect or direct, of an alien species outside of its natural range (past or present). This movement can be either within a country or between countries or areas beyond national jurisdiction. NB: in this report, movements between countries are referred to as 'exports' or 'imports'. Introduction is used to mean introduction into the wild. 'Intentional introduction' refers to the deliberate movement and/or release by humans of an alien species outside its natural range. 'Unintentional introduction' refers to all other introductions which are not intentional. 'Establishment' refers to the process whereby an alien species in a new habitat successfully produces viable offspring with a likelihood of continued survival.
Tackling Invasive Alien Species in Europe: the top 20 issues
Management of Biological Invasions, 2014
Globally, Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are considered to be one of the major threats to native biodiversity, with the World Conservation Union (IUCN) citing their impacts as 'immense, insidious, and usually irreversible'. It is estimated that 11% of the c. 12,000 alien species in Europe are invasive, causing environmental, economic and social damage; and it is reasonable to expect that the rate of biological invasions into Europe will increase in the coming years. In order to assess the current position regarding IAS in Europe and to determine the issues that were deemed to be most important or critical regarding these damaging species, the international Freshwater Invasives -Networking for Strategy (FINS) conference was convened in Ireland in April 2013. Delegates from throughout Europe and invited speakers from around the world were brought together for the conference. These comprised academics, applied scientists, policy makers, politicians, practitioners and representative stakeholder groups. A horizon scanning and issue prioritization approach was used by in excess of 100 expert delegates in a workshop setting to elucidate the Top 20 IAS issues in Europe. These issues do not focus solely on freshwater habitats and taxa but relate also to marine and terrestrial situations. The Top 20 issues that resulted represent a tool for IAS management and should also be used to support policy makers as they prepare European IAS legislation.
Invasive alien aquatic species, including marine and freshwater macroinvertebrates, have become increasingly important in terms of both environmental and socio-economic impacts. In order to assess their environmental and economic costs, we applied the Generic Impact Scoring System (GISS) and performed a comparison with other taxa of invaders in Europe. Impacts were scored into six environmental and six socio- economic categories, with each category containing five impact levels. Among 49 aquatic macroinvertebrates, the most impacting species were the Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis (Milne-Edwards, 1853) and the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771). The highest impacts found per GISS impact category were, separately; on ecosystems, through predation, as competitors, and on animal production. Eleven species have an impact score > 10 (high impact) and seven reach impact level 5 in at least one impact category (EU blacklist candidates), the maximum score that can be given is 60 impact points. Comparisons were drawn between aquatic macroinvertebrates and vertebrate invaders such as fish, mammals and birds, as well as terrestrial arthropods, revealing invasive freshwater macroinvertebrates to be voracious predators of native prey and damaging to native ecosystems compared with other taxa. GISS can be used to compare these taxa and will aid policy making and targeting of invasive species for management by relevant agencies, or to assist in producing species blacklist candidates.