AQUAINVAD-ED · AQUAtic INVAders: Early Detection, Control and Management

AQUAtic INVAders: Early Detection, Control and Management

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) are on the rise due to increased worldwide trade and globalization, combined with the synergistic effects of climate change and habitat destruction. Because AIS negatively impact biodiversity, human health and ecosystem services (food, tourism and water provision), their control and management is a priority. Management of AIS can be tackled by: (1) early detection, (2) identification of routes of introduction and dispersal, (3) identification of impacts on ecosystems and ecosystem services, and (4) development of efficient control measures and risk assessment. Public awareness and stakeholder involvement are also critical for preventing new introductions and mitigating the impact of existing ones. The main research goal of AQUAINVAD-ED was to develop innovative methods of early detection, control and management of AIS. This was achieved by combining the expertise of scientists and other professionals from different sectors (higher education institutions, government agencies and SMEs) working on fundamental and applied aspects of AIS in three different countries (UK, Spain and Italy). The main conclusions of the action were: • Environmental DNA barcoding and metabarcoding are effective methods for early detection and monitoring of AIS, identification of novel vectors of introduction and assessment of habitat fragmentation and dispersal of native and non-native species. Incorporating this technique into routine surveillance programs can be of great benefit. • Species Distribution Models (SDM) can detect the most important vectors of introduction of AIS and to predict their dispersal. These methods can inform policies aiming at avoiding novel introductions. • Accurate detection of AIS requires seasonal monitoring of ecosystems. • Anthropogenic factors and distance to the first introduction site are amongst the most important factors determining the expansion of AIS. • The impacts and invasion success of AIS depend not only on the biology of a single species but also on synergies between different species. • Ecological traits can be used for control and management of AIS. • Although there seems to be awareness among the general public on the impacts of invasive species in the three European countries surveyed (UK, Italy and Spain), more education is needed to raise awareness on ways of introduction. • Success in reducing the introduction invasive species is possible through engagement of people of all ages, especially young audience.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз