Since the adoption of the EC Water Framework Directive (WFD), much work has been carried out on the impact of alien invasive species on the ecological status of surface waters. The WFD ‘programmes of measures’ provide a mechanism for improving the state of the aquatic environment and for tackling the ecological and economic problems caused by invasive species. Programmes of measures need to include early and urgent action on new invasions, identifying and controlling external sources of potential recolonization, as well as long-term management using appropriate tools and techniques. The aim of this project is to focus on the last of these by reviewing state-of-the-art methods available for controlling or eradicating species used in WFD assessments. It builds on a study completed by Cambridge University (under contract to Natural England) that reviewed the effectiveness of control methods for 10 groups of alien species.
- To undertake a review of methods for controlling or eradicating the following species:
- To investigate the invasion pathways for the species listed below, and possible techniques for preventing their further spread.
High impact
- Azolla filiculoides
- Myriophyllum aquaticus (and other Myriophyllum species)
- Lagarosiphon major
- Elodea canadensis
- Elodea nuttallii
- Hemimysis anomala (in a group of Pontocaspian crustaceans)
- Spartina anglica
- Eriocheir sinensis
- Crepidula fornicata
- Styela clava
- Urosalpinx cinerea
- Non-native Didemnum spp.
Moderate impact
- Cabomba caroliniana
Alarm list
- Ocenebra inornata