Source:
European
Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Summary:
A new
article has identified escape from aquaculture facilities, releases in the wild
due to pet/aquarium trade and stocking activities as the main pathways of alien
species introduction in European lakes and rivers. Germany, the UK and Italy
are the main entry gateways. The authors recommend tightened controls, and
improved prevention and management measures in order to halt the increasing
trend of freshwater alien species introductions in Europe.
A JRC-led article has identified escape from aquaculture facilities,
releases in the wild due to pet/aquarium trade and stocking activities as the
main pathways of alien species introduction in European lakes and rivers.
Germany, the UK and Italy are the main entry gateways. The authors recommend
tightened controls, and improved prevention and management measures in order to
halt the increasing trend of freshwater alien species introductions in Europe.
The study analysed the spatial and temporal patterns and trends of the main
pathways and gateways of alien species (AS) in Europe, using the JRC's European
Alien Species Information Network (EASIN) inventory.
This inventory currently
includes over 750 freshwater species reported as aliens (established or
suspected) in European inland waters.
It found a marked increase in the introduction of freshwater alien species
in Europe over the past 60 years, largely as a result of globalisation. Most of
the initial introductions in Europe come from aquaculture, which is one of the
fastest-growing sectors of the world food economy. Aquaculture is trailed by
aquarium trade, a multi-billion dollar industry which has also seen remarkable growth
in recent years.
Freshwater ecosystems suffer from greater loss of biodiversity than most
terrestrial ecosystems, mainly due to human activities including the
introduction of species outside their natural range.
Twenty percent 20% of species
extinctions are caused by invasive alien species (IAS).
The authors note that
public education could greatly help increase awareness of the risks for
freshwater ecosystems, and stricter regulation and control measures will be
needed to minimise the entry of alien species through the main introduction
pathways.
The study is the first pan-European assessment of both the main pathways
and gateways of first introductions for freshwater alien species in Europe. Its
results could greatly help achieve the Aichi Biodiversity Target 9 regarding
the prevention and control of IAS, and help Member States fulfill their
obligations under the European Regulation on IAS to analyse and identify the
entry routes of IAS that require priority action.
Story Source:
The above post is reprinted from materials provided by European Commission, Joint Research Centre
(JRC). Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.
Journal
Reference:
- Ana Nunes, Elena Tricarico, Vadim Panov, Ana Cardoso, Stelios Katsanevakis. Pathways and gateways of freshwater invasions in Europe. Aquatic Invasions, 2015; 10 (4): 359 DOI: 10.3391/ai.2015.10.4.01
Cite This Page:
European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC). "Invasive freshwater
species in Europe’s lakes and rivers: How do they come in?." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 13
November 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151113105928.htm>.
