Special Issue: Management of Invasive Species in Inland Waters
Edited by: Wai Hing Wong, Marina Piria, Frank Collas, Predrag Simonović and Elena Tricarico
Published in September 2017
This special issue of Management of Biological Invasions includes applied papers presented
at three international meetings devoted to invasive species in inland water ecosystems held in 2016 in North America and Europe:
the 19th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species (ICAIS) (April 10–14, 2016, Winnipeg, Canada),
“Freshwater Invasives – Networking for Strategy II” Conference (FINSII) (July 11-14, 2016, Zagreb, Croatia)
and a special session on impacts of aquatic invasive species of the 33rd Congress of the International Society of Limnology (SIL) (August 1, 2016, Torino, Italy).
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Editorial
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Wai Hing Wong, Marina Piria, Frank P.L. Collas, Predrag Simonović and Elena Tricarico
Management of invasive species in inland waters: technology development and international cooperation (pp 267–272) |
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Viewpoint
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Marina Piria, Gordon H. Copp, Jaimie T.A. Dick, Aljoša Duplić, Quentin Groom, Dušan Jelić,
Frances E. Lucy, Helen E. Roy, Emmanuelle Sarat, Predrag Simonović, Tea Tomljanović, Elena Tricarico, Martin Weinlander, Zdeněk Adámek,
Sarah Bedolfe, Neil E. Coughlan, Eithne Davis, Aldona Dobrzycka-Krahel, Zoran Grgić, Şerıfe G. Kırankaya, F. Güler Ekmekçi, Jasna Lajtner,
Juliane A.Y. Lukas, Nicholas Koutsikos, Gloria J. Mennen, Božena Mitić, Paolo Pastorino, Timo J. Ruokonen, Michał E. Skóra, Emily R.C. Smith,
Nikica Šprem, Ali Serhan Tarkan, Tomislav Treer, Leonidas Vardakas, Teppo Vehanen, Lorenzo Vilizzi, Davor Zanella and Joe M. Caffrey
Tackling invasive alien species in Europe II: threats and opportunities until 2020 (pp 273–286) |
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Invasive alien species (IAS) are a significant and growing problem worldwide. In Europe, some aspects of IAS have been addressed
through existing legal instruments, but these are far from sufficient to tackle the problem comprehensively. The FINS II Conference
considered the relevance of Top 20 IAS issues (Top 10 threats and opportunities) for Europe determined at the 1st Freshwater Invasiveness –
Networking for Strategy (FINS I) conference held in Ireland in 2013. Using a similar format of sequential group voting, threats from FINS I
(lack of funding, of awareness and education; poor communication) and several new threats (lack of lead agencies, of standardized management
and of common approach; insufficient monitoring and management on private property) were identified by 80 academics, applied scientists,
policy makers and stakeholders from 14 EU and three non-EU countries (including 10 invited speakers) during four workshop break-out sessions
(legislation remit in both EU/non-EU countries; best management and biosecurity practice for control; data management and early warning;
pathways of introductions and citizen science). Identified opportunities include improved cooperation and communication, education and
leadership to enhance public awareness and stakeholder participation, systems establishment for early detection, rapid response, monitoring
and management of IAS using standardised methods of data collection, storage and usage. The sets of threats and opportunities identified
underline the importance of international cooperation on IAS issues in communication, education and funding as priorities, as well as in
standardization of legislation, control methods and best practise of research.
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Research articles
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Timothy D. Gingera, Robert Bajno, Margaret F. Docker and James D. Reist
Environmental DNA as a detection tool for zebra mussels Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771) at the forefront of an invasion
event in Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (pp 287–300) |
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Zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771), an invasive bivalve in North America, was first recorded in Lake Winnipeg in 2013.
Quagga mussel D. bugensis (Andrusov, 1897), a second invasive mussel to North America, has yet to be detected in Manitoba waters.
The establishment and continued spread of zebra mussels is of concern. Accordingly, we developed two species-specific and one Dreissena-specific
qPCR-based environmental DNA (eDNA) assays designed as a single multiplexed reaction able to identify the presence of zebra mussel and infer the presence
of quagga mussel in water samples from at-risk and invaded locations. In 2014, samples were collected from four invaded harbours on Lake Winnipeg during
the early (May) and late (October) seasons. Zebra mussel eDNA was detected in 0–33.3% of samples per site early in the season, whereas late season sample
detection ranged from 42.9 to 100%. In order to confirm that there was no non-specific amplification of DNA from local biota, samples were also collected
from sites where neither adult nor veliger-stage zebra mussels had been previously observed. These sites included three harbours on Lake Winnipeg and six
sites within the Manitoban portion of the Red River. No amplification of eDNA was recorded at these sites except for that at a float-plane dock in the Red
River upstream of Lake Winnipeg. Zebra mussels were subsequently detected at this location by sampling for transformed attached individuals. Thus,
we demonstrate that eDNA is an early indicator of the presence of zebra mussels and is a useful detection tool at the forefront of their recent invasion
in Manitoba. This work provides the foundation for the development of a zebra mussel eDNA monitoring program for waterbodies in Manitoba and western Canada.
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Sherri F. Pucherelli and Renata Claudi
Evaluation of the effects of ultra-violet light treatment on quagga mussel settlement and veliger survival at Davis Dam (pp 301–310) |
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Dreissenid mussels are aggressive biofoulers that threaten water delivery and hydropower reliability. The use of medium pressure UV systems
to control dreissenid mussel settlement in industrial cooling water systems is a desirable alternative to chemical treatments. This paper
summarizes two experiments, carried out over two years, using a proprietary medium pressure UV system. The first experiment tested veliger
settlement after exposure to doses of 50, 40 and 20 mJ/cm². The second experiment tested settlement after exposure to 100 mJ/cm², and examined
veligers behavior and direct mortality post exposure to UV doses of 100, 50, 40 and 20 mJ/cm². All doses tested in the first experiment resulted
in settlement reduction between 88 and 99%. The 100 mJ/cm² dose reduced settlement by 99%. In the second experiment delayed veliger mortality
was observed after every UV level tested. Mortality varied based on UV dose, ambient water temperature, and veliger size.
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James A. Luoma, Jan C. Dean, Todd J. Severson, Jeremy K. Wise and Matthew T. Barbour
Use of alternating and pulsed direct current electrified fields for zebra mussel control (pp 311–324) |
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Alternatives to chemicals for controlling dreissenid mussels are desirable for environmental compatibility, but few alternatives exist.
Previous studies have evaluated the use of electrified fields for stunning and/or killing planktonic life stages of dreissenid mussels,
however, the available literature on the use of electrified fields to control adult dreissenid mussels is limited. We evaluated the effects
of sinusoidal alternating current (AC) and 20% duty cycle square-wave pulsed direct current (PDC) exposure on the survival of adult zebra
mussels at water temperatures of 10, 15, and 22 °C. Peak voltage gradients of ~ 17 and 30 Vp/cm in the AC and PDC exposures, respectively,
were continuously applied for 24, 48, or 72 h. Peak power densities ranged from 77,999 to 107,199 µW/cm3 in the AC exposures
and 245,320 to 313,945 µW/cm3 in the PDC exposures. The peak dose ranged from 6,739 to 27,298 Joules/cm3 and 21,306
to 80,941 Joules/cm3 in the AC and PDC exposures, respectively. The applied power ranged from 16.6 to 68.9 kWh in the AC
exposures and from 22.2 to 86.4 kWh in the PDC exposures. Mortality ranged from 2.7 to 92.7% in the AC exposed groups and from 24.0 to 98.7%
in PDC exposed groups. Mortality increased with corresponding increases in water temperature and exposure duration, and we observed more zebra
mussel mortality in the PDC exposures. Exposures conducted with AC required less of a peak dose (Joules/cm3) but more applied power
(kWh) to achieve the same level of adult zebra mussel mortality as corresponding PDC exposures. The results demonstrate that 20% duty cycle
square-wave PDC requires less energy than sinusoidal AC to inducing the same level of adult zebra mussel mortality.
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Kelly A. Stockton-Fiti and Renata Claudi
Use of a differential simple stain to confirm mortality of dreissenid mussel veligers in field and laboratory experiments (pp 325–333) |
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Assessment of mortality in toxicological trials of dreissenid mussel veligers is often time consuming and can be erroneous.
Recommended methods for scoring mortality or survival of veligers include observing each individual to detect external or internal movements
or lack thereof. Post-mortem infestation of tissue with decomposers frequently mimics movements of internal organs and leads to inaccuracy
in assessment. Conversely, studies determining the toxic effect of potassium have found that veligers may appear dead after exposure, with
shells agape, vellum exposed and no movement. However, after a recovery period in potassium free water, the test subjects may recover and move.
Differential stains have been used to aid in scoring mortality or survival and we evaluated fast green stain compared to direct observation without stain.
Fast green stain is used as a food coloring dye, and is a differential stain that penetrates dead tissues only, allowing for easy and accurate determination
of live and dead tissues. The stain is used for assessment of saltwater mussel spat viability and more recently with freshwater dreissenid larval and juvenile
life stages. Fast green allows for a differentiation between paralyzed and dead veligers following exposure to potassium without the need for a recovery period.
In this study, we exposed dreissenid veligers to elevated levels of potassium chloride and evaluated the proportion of live and dead, and empty shells using
two methods: one with the fast green stain and one without. We found the staining method resulted in more rapid and precise results without need for a long
recovery step. We recommend this technique as beneficial to both novice and experienced microscopists. The fast green stain method is easy to use in the field
or laboratory setting.
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Denise M. Hosler
Where is the body? Dreissenid mussels, raw water testing, and the real value of environmental DNA (pp 335–341) |
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The Bureau of Reclamation has been monitoring the waters in the western U.S. since 2006 for the presence of dreissenid mussels.
Currently, Reclamation has evaluated over 17,000 raw water samples representing over 400 western water bodies. This data includes
water bodies where mussels had invaded and control methods were being tested. Primarily however, the program tested western waters
for the purposes of tracking the dreissenid mussel invasion. Utilizing the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) program
for zebra mussel detection, Reclamation developed a protocol for raw water testing for determination of dreissenid mussel presence
in western waters that included microscopy and DNA testing. The results of testing clashed with definitions, and triggered concerns
for costly false positives that round robin testing did not substantiate. During that time, a clear understanding of the conflicting
test results was not available for the stakeholders and partners participating in the mussel detection program. The large body of data
revealed some unique information on the invasion of mussels in the western US; from the way samples were collected and preserved,
to the slower than anticipated spread. The Reclamation Detection Laboratory for Exotic Species (RDLES) conducted research looking more
closely at the science involved in the detection of invasive mussels in raw water plankton tow net samples. As research revealed information
about the lack of microscopic findings, the value of environmental DNA (eDNA) findings for invasive species and mission essential projects
became apparent. This article will present an overview of the Reclamation invasive mussel program detection, monitoring, and briefing on some
control research activities. RDLES research developments have far-reaching applications for future management activities and decisions with
many lessons learned about planktonic sampling from this large body of data and the related discovery of benefits of eDNA testing
for numerous species of concern.
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Richard F. Lance, Katy E. Klymus, Catherine A. Richter, Xin Guan, Heather L. Farrington,
Matthew R. Carr, Nathan Thompson, Duane C. Chapman and Kelly L. Baerwaldt
Experimental observations on the decay of environmental DNA from bighead and silver carps (pp 343–359) |
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Interest in the field of environmental DNA (eDNA) is growing rapidly and eDNA surveys are becoming an important consideration for aquatic
resource managers dealing with invasive species. However, in order for eDNA monitoring to mature as a research and management tool, there
are several critical knowledge gaps that must be filled. One such gap is the fate of eDNA materials in the aquatic environment. Understanding
the environmental factors that influence the decay of eDNA and how these factors impact detection probabilities over time and space could have
significant implications for eDNA survey design and data interpretation. Here we experimentally explore decay of eDNA associated with bighead
carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) biological waste collected from an aquaculture filtration system and with sperm collected from captive
silver carp (H. molitrix), and how decay may be influenced by differing levels of water turbulence, temperature, microbial load, and pH.
We found that the decay patterns of eDNA associated with both H. nobilis biological waste and H. molitrix milt significantly
fit monophasic exponential decay curves. Secondly, we observed that the highest temperature we tested resulted in a decay half-life as much
as 5.5× more rapid than the lowest temperature we tested. When we suppressed microbial loads in eDNA samples, we observed that overall losses
of eDNA were reduced by about 2.5×. When we amended eDNA samples with pond water the half-life of eDNA was reduced by about 2.25×,
despite relatively little apparent increase in the overall microbial load. This pattern indicated that species constituency of the microbial
community, in addition to microbial load, might play a critical role in eDNA degradation. A shift in pH from 6.5 to 8.0 in the samples
resulted in a 1.6× reduction in eDNA half-life. Water turbulence in our study had no apparent effect on eDNA decay. When we combined different
temperature, pH, and microbial load treatments to create a rapid decay condition and a slow decay condition, and tracked eDNA decay over 91 days,
we observed a 5.0× greater loss of eDNA by Day 5 under rapid decay conditions than under slow decay conditions. At the end of the trials,
the differences in eDNA loss between the rapid decay and baseline and slow decay conditions were 0.1× and 3.3×, respectively. Our results
strongly demonstrate the potential for environmental factors to influence eDNA fate and, thus, the interpretation of eDNA survey results.
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Sarah Descamps and Alain De Vocht
The sterile male release approach as a method to control invasive amphibian populations: a preliminary study on Lithobates catesbeianus (pp 361–370) |
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Widespread populations of the invasive species Lithobates catesbeianus (American bullfrog) are present in different parts of the world
and are difficult to control. This study investigated the possibility to sterilize male individuals of this species in order to use the sterile
male release technique in controlling these invasive populations. The technique can be adopted in aquaculture facilities as well to prevent
new introductions by incidental releases or escapes. In order to produce sterile individuals a cold and pressure shock protocol were used
on fertilized eggs to create triploid individuals. The cold shock did not result in triploid individuals while 54% triploids were obtained
from pressure shock, the remaining individuals being aneuploid. The triploid and control larvae were reared for more than one year and
the control larvae had a greater length after 7 and 9 months, their weight did not differ. At metamorphosis no difference in length and
weight was found between the two groups. The subadult bullfrogs from both groups showed 9 months post metamorphosis a similar scaled body
mass index but lower than individuals living in the wild. The pressure shock protocol needs further refinement in respect to the timing
of the shock. Further research on the reproductive behavior of these sterile frogs is necessary to evaluate the possible use
in the sterile male release technique.
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Brooke J. Vetter, Robin D. Calfee and Allen F. Mensinger
Management implications of broadband sound in modulating wild silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) behavior (pp 371–376) |
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Invasive silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) dominate large regions of the Mississippi River drainage, outcompete native species,
and are notorious for their prolific and unusual jumping behavior. High densities of juvenile and adult (~25 kg) carp are known to jump up to
3 m above the water surface in response to moving watercraft. Broadband sound recorded from an outboard motor (100 hp at 32 km/hr) can modulate
their behavior in captivity; however, the response of wild silver carp to broadband sound has yet to be determined. In this experiment,
broadband sound (0.06–10 kHz) elicited jumping behavior from silver carp in the Spoon River near Havana, IL independent of boat movement,
indicating acoustic stimulus alone is sufficient to induce jumping. Furthermore, the number of jumping fish decreased with subsequent sound
exposures. Understanding silver carp jumping is not only important from a behavioral standpoint, it is also critical to determine effective
techniques for controlling this harmful species, such as herding fish into a net for removal.
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Reuben P. Keller, Gabrielle Habeeb, Trent Henry and Jonathon Brenner
Non-native amphipod, Apocorophium lacustre (Vanhoffen, 1911), in the Illinois River and Chicago Area Waterway System (pp 377–382) |
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Apocorophium lacustre (Vanhoffen, 1911) is a recent colonizer of freshwater ecosystems in the United States of America and Europe.
This species is native primarily to estuarine environments on both sides of the North Atlantic, but in the US it has been established
in the Gulf of Mexico since at least 1982 and more recently in the Mississippi River Basin. In 2005 it was found in the Dresden Island Pool
of the Upper Illinois River, placing it within 100 river kilometers of Lake Michigan, and it is considered a high risk for continuing its
spread into the Laurentian Great Lakes. During summer 2015 we conducted what we believe is the only sampling for this species to have taken
place upstream of the Dresden Island Pool since 2005. We sampled at 25 sites from the Dresden Island Pool upstream to Lake Michigan, including
six Lake Michigan harbors. A. lacustre was found at a single site in the Dresden Island Pool, indicating that the species has not spread over
the last decade. This result could occur because of a physical or chemical barrier to further movement, or because our sampling was not sufficient
to locate the population. Further sampling, and tests of A. lacustre tolerance to water from different sources, will be required to determine
if spread has truly stopped, and if so, the reason for this.
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Gerald L. Mackie and Jeff K. Brinsmead
A risk assessment of the golden mussel, Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1857) for Ontario, Canada (pp 383–402) |
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The golden mussel, Limnoperna fortunei, is an epibenthic mytilid native to freshwaters of China and south-eastern Asia. It became established
in Hong Kong in 1965, in Japan in the 1990’s and South America in 1991 through ballast water discharge into the La Plata River basin in Argentina.
It has since expanded to Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil in South America. Populations have steadily increased in these countries since their
first reported incidence. The golden mussel is not yet present in North America. A Risk Assessment of golden mussel for the Province of Ontario,
Canada was performed using a four step process, developed by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry: While the potential impacts
of an invasion of golden mussel in the Great Lakes has been well documented, the likelihood of a wide spread invasion (i.e., the likelihood of arrival,
survival, establishment and spread) was further investigated. Uncertainty for each of the four stages of invasion was also estimated. The risk assessment
ranked ballast water exchange of Atlantic transoceanic vessels from South America as the primary potential pathway for introduction of golden mussel
directly into the Great Lakes. A “back door” entry into the Great Lakes was also considered via overland dispersal (e.g. trailered boats) following
a ballast water exchange introduction by transoceanic vessels from Asia to the Pacific coast of North America. However, the overall probability
of arrival through these two pathways was ranked low. The probability of survival, establishment, and spread of golden mussel in Ontario was deemed
to be low, primarily because of its physiological intolerance of cold, winter waters. The level of uncertainty was considered moderate as there
has been no golden mussel invasion reported from lakes that freeze over in Asia or South America for at least two months. Based on the current
distribution of golden mussel being limited mostly to waters with minimum temperatures of 10 °C to 12 °C at 36º latitude, the Climatch analysis,
and the number of degree days required for reproduction and establishment, the level of risk for invasion into Ontario waters is low and
the level of uncertainty is moderate. This would likely apply to all of Canada and most of the USA north of the 36th parallel that is covered
by snow or where lakes have ice cover for at least two months of the year. An analysis of the impact of climate change on golden mussel
in Ontario suggests that summer temperatures in Lake Erie could rise to levels that would support reproduction and establishment by 2040.
However, the lowest temperature reported to support establishment of mussels is 5 °C and it is estimated it would likely take more than 200 years
to reach and maintain this temperature in Lake Erie.
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Elena Tricarico, Yaisel J. Borrell, Eva García-Vázquez, José M. Rico, Sabine Rech,
Felicita Scapini, Iva Johović, Naiara Rodríguez-Ezpeleta, Oihane C. Basurko, Anaïs Rey, Peter Gough, Laura Aquiloni, Paolo Sposimo,
Alberto F. Inghilesi, Phillip Haubrock, Jesus F. Delgado, Roberta Skukan, David Hall, Stephen Marsh-Smith, David Kilbey,
Agustin P. Monteoliva, Teja P. Muha, Marta Rodríguez-Rey, Matteo Rolla, Heidi K. Rehwald, Carlos Garcia de Leaniz and Sofia Consuegra
Developing innovative methods to face aquatic invasions in Europe: the Aquainvad-ED project (pp 403–408) |
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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).
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Sylvie Varray and Stéphanie Hudin
From networking to a coordinated management strategy for the invasive alien species of the Loire-Brittany basin (pp 409–413) |
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Since its creation in 2002, the objectives of the working group “invasive alien species of the Loire basin” led to scientific and technical
information exchange on the management of freshwater invasive plants, and common tools. The structuration of the network was achieved at this
scale through multi-level coordination groups: local, departmental regional and basin levels. Each group relaying bottom-up and top-down
the information and the needs for tools, the coherence of the action is multiplied on most parts of the basin. The members of the group
are experts, management project leaders, territorial structures as well as institutions and non-profit organizations. It relies on a network
of practitioners. Based on the learnings of more than 10 years, the Loire basin invasive alien species management strategy 2014–2020
is articulated with the strategies at European, national and regional levels. It aims to coordinate relevant actions at the scale
of a large river basin and to exchange on the management of freshwater invasive plants and animals methods. This document identifies
guidelines for emerging invasive alien species management projects.
The 24 priority actions for this period (2014–2020) are grouped in 5 main subjects: Coordination, Knowledge and Exchanges, Monitoring
and Early intervention, Management and Awareness, Communication and Training. Each action is detailed with aim, context, partners,
evaluation and expected products.
The deployment of the strategy will take place in the frame of the Loire nature program 2014–2020. It will promote the monitoring,
the rapid response to new populations (e.g. new species or on colonization fronts). An accent is also given on awareness raising
and information exchange in this European funded program.
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Emmanuelle Sarat, Alain Dutartre, Yohann Soubeyran and Nicolas Poulet
A French working group on biological invasions in aquatic environments: towards an improvement of knowledge and management
of freshwater invasive alien species (pp 415–424) |
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In order to respond to the growing concern on invasive alien species and their impact in freshwater environments in France,
a working group on biological invasions in freshwater environments was created in 2009. Meeting internationally recognised
recommendations, its main objective is to increase management capacity by valuating and promoting expert knowledge, digesting
and giving access to scientific information and providing guidance on decision-making. Coordinated by the French Biodiversity
Agency and the IUCN French Committee, the group brings together more than 60 members from communities of practitioners, scientists
and policy-makers. The group’s activities are determined by the shared needs of the formed network. Examples of projects undertaken
to date include: the development of an internet platform to provide access to information; the publication of a best practices guide
with fully detailed feedbacks from management efforts; and the setting up of an information database focussed on the operational
management of introduced aquatic species in France.
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Matija Pofuk, Davor Zanella and Marina Piria
An overview of the translocated native and non-native fish species in Croatia: pathways, impacts and management (pp 425–435) |
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Fish introductions and/or translocations, particularly in areas with high biodiversity and endemism, represent a major threat
to biodiversity. Fish translocations between the Danube and the Adriatic basins in Croatia have not been well documented,
and the origin, pathway or reason for translocation for many species is still not clear. A total of 33 fish species,
both native and non-native, were translocated from the Danube to the Adriatic basin, while one non-native species was
translocated from the Adriatic to the Danube basin. The first known translocations date back to the 18th century, when
pike Esox lucius and tench Tinca tinca were translocated to Vrana Lake on Cres Island. The largest numbers
of translocations were made for recreational and sport fishing activities, or unintentionally. Most translocated species
have become naturalized in their new habitats. The recommendation is to reinforce control measures to prevent translocations
and to implement enhanced conservation measures for native fish in their native habitat, particularly for the Adriatic region.
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Gordon H. Copp, J. Robert Britton, Keith J. Wesley and Phil I. Davison
Non-native fish dispersal as a contaminant of aquatic plant consignments – a case study from England (pp 437–442) |
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The introduction of non-native species as contaminants of aquatic plant consignments is poorly documented.
This paper reports on the introduction of pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus, a North American sunfish, into an angling lake
as a contaminant of native aquatic plants during their stocking to enhance the fishery. Growth and life-history data
for the L. gibbosus specimens captured in the water body provided biological evidence (relatively rapid juvenile growth
and early maturation) that supports the assumption that L. gibbosus was accidentally introduced as a contaminant of the aquatic
plant consignment. This study highlights the importance of adhering to current guidelines on the movement of aquatic plants
(e.g. Great Britain’s “Be Plant Wise” educational initiative), which aims to prevent unwanted transfer of aquatic organisms.
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Vanessa Lozano, Daniel S. Chapman and Giuseppe Brundu
Native and non-native aquatic plants of South America: comparing and integrating GBIF records with literature data (pp 443–454) |
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The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) is at the moment one of the largest and most widely used biodiversity databases.
Nevertheless, there are still some limitations, e.g. in terms of plant species status (native vs. non-native) and geographic resolution
of records. At the same time, it is well known that alien plant invasions in inland freshwaters can alter community structure, ecosystem
functions and services with significant negative impacts on biodiversity and human activities. We assessed if the GBIF database has
a geospatial homogeneous information for native and non-native aquatic plant species for South America and whether or not literature
resources not yet digitalized (floras, checklists and other papers) could provide additional information. We selected a set of 40 native
and 40 non-native aquatic species. These 80 species included a sub-set of 40 alien species previously evaluated with the USAqWRA scheme
(US Aquatic Weed Risk Assessment). Species with non-reliable identification, duplicates of the same collection, records poorly
georeferenced were removed from the dataset. New records were manually compiled through classical literature research.
All the georeferenced records (GBIF + literature) were used for the mapping and the comparative analysis. As a result,
we can conclude that the two datasets provide quite significantly different information and the combination of the two offers
new information that would not exist in a single data source. Nevertheless, a careful quality evaluation of the primary information,
both in the case of literature and GBIF should be conducted, before the data is used for further analyses.
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