Abstract
A rapid assessment method to evaluate the relative impact of zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, was undertaken in a 11.5 km 2 temperate lake within an Irish drumlin landscape. The lake was divided into three assessment units: the north lake, the south lake and a river section situated downstream of the two lake assessment units. Survey work was conducted as a single survey in September 2011. Following an evaluation of the mussel abundance and distribution range within each assessment unit, the Biological Pollution Level (BPL) was calculated. Additional environmental information was obtained from historical monitoring conducted by the Irish Environmental Protection Agency. The zebra mussel was rated as having a high abundance and distribution range in one lake assessment unit, was absent in the second lake assessment unit, and had a low abundance and distribution range for the river assessment unit. Ninety-three stations were surveyed in two and a half days illustrating a practical approach to monitoring which can meet legislative requirements.
Highlights
Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are a priority issue under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), with Aichi Biodiversity Target 9 stating that ‘By 2020, invasive alien species and pathways are identified and prioritised, priority species are controlled or eradicated, and measures are in place to manage pathways to prevent their introduction and establishment’
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
A summary description of each of the Top 20 IAS issues determined at the FINS conference workshops is presented below
Summary
Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are a priority issue under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), with Aichi Biodiversity Target 9 stating that ‘By 2020, invasive alien species and pathways are identified and prioritised, priority species are controlled or eradicated, and measures are in place to manage pathways to prevent their introduction and establishment’. Great Britain and Ireland have many high impact invasive species in aquatic and terrestrial habitats, such as Asian clam Corbicula fluminea (Caffrey et al 2011; Lucy et al 2012; Barbour et al 2013) and the Harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Roy et al 2012), with other high impact IAS predicted to arrive, in freshwaters (Gallardo and Aldridge 2013). The rate of biological invasion is increasing generally, with greater needs than ever to predict their identities and impacts (Dick et al 2013). This increase could be exacerbated by climate change (Walther et al 2009)
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