zebra musselConsidered one of the most dangerous invasive alien species due to its economic impact and damage to ecosystems, it is already present in eight of the fifteen river basin districts in Spain, after adult specimens were found in Spain. Segura basinAccording to experts, it may have arrived via transfer from Tagus.
Segura Hydrographic Confederation Reported its appearance in Talave reservoir (Albacete) on MondayTo be discharged to a certain level (zebra mussels live at a depth of about 2-5 meters) will cause the existing specimens to dry out and thus prevent their spread.
According to the data of the Ministry of Ecological Transformation, zebra mussel is already present in the borders of the Andalusian Mediterranean basins, the Guadalquivir; Guadalete and Barbat; Tinto, Odiel and Piedras; River basin region of Júcar, Ebro and Catalonia.
For now, Miño-Sil, Galician Coast, Eastern Cantabria, Western Cantabria, Duero, Tagus, Guadiana have been rescued from the presence of this species.
According to Concha Durán, head of the Júcar Hydrographic Confederation Technical Service and expert on this invader, it makes sense for the zebra mussel to settle in “calcareous” Spain because it needs calcium carbonate to form its shell. On the other hand, “silica” Spain is resisting this invasion for now.
The zebra mussel is in the ‘top ten’ of the most dangerous invasive alien species on the planet due to its major socioeconomic and ecosystem impacts. (it poses no danger to human health) and getting anywhere is always “bad news,” Durán complained.
“You have to be tough in the beginning”
The segura boundary was probably one of the few things still unaffected by the control over boats and the monitoring of the species, according to Durán, who stressed the need to be “tough” when spotted.
According to him, in addition to draining it, a comprehensive study will be required to stop the use of the reservoir (fishing and marine) and to see how far this mussel population has progressed.
“After years of experience, my advice is this: In the beginning you have to be very tough, that’s when you can do something. Only then can you learn to live with the problem,” he added.
This species is capable of blocking any water intake and is widely used in hydroelectric power plants, irrigation devices, municipal buildings, etc. From an ecological perspective, its impact is “brutal” because once it lands on any solid surface, it displaces other organisms, including other crustacean species whose survival is threatened. Additionally, as a “strong” filter feeder, it consumes a lot of phytoplankton and can change the entire ecosystem.
After confirming the settlement of a population, likely to disperse at high speed in nearby basins. and similarly, according to Francisco Oliva, professor at the University of Murcia and coordinator of the Life Invasaqua project to combat exotic aquatic species.
Given its high reproductive capacity (a specimen can release more than 1 million larvae per year) and the absence of certain predators, it is expected to rapidly colonize affected reservoirs, Oliva added, warning that it is in a basin like the delta. Segura, the socioeconomic impact could be disastrous for agriculture.
Some confederations have already spent more than 30m euros on the direct management of the species. and a study in the Hydrographic Confederation of the Ebro announced that indirect losses from zebra mussels amounted to more than 1,600 million.
According to him, the reduction of the reservoir level and extensive sampling to determine the true extent of the population will need to be added to the temporary prohibition of activities that could lead to the spread of larvae to other reservoirs or water sources. systems such as navigation or sport fishing.
Transfer, possible culprit?
“This species is very likely to colonize the Segura basin via the Tajo-Segura transfer. Scientists and technicians have warned of the need to filter the flow that reaches the Talave reservoir continuously from zebra mussel-infested areas in the Júcar river basin,” he complained.
The zebra mussel first appeared in Spain in 2001., especially in the Ebro and Júcar basins. it’s one of a kind endangering biodiversity domestic but also hydraulic infrastructures. The basin agency has warned that the main vectors of spread are boats, so it has limited navigation on the dam and is running an information campaign on protocol to follow to prevent the spread of plague.
The basin organization periodically takes planktonic samples to detect larvae.This invasive species s. Controls also include reviewing adult specimens and examining the surrounding areas of suspected spreading points.
zebra mussel They come from the Black, Caspian and Azov seas. According to information published by the Júcar Hydrographic Confederation, the International Union for Conservation of Nature ranks it as one of the 100 most dangerous invasive alien species in the world and is also included in the National Catalog of Invasive Alien Species.
The adult shell has an elongated triangular shape and can measure up to four centimeters in length. The valves have alternating light and dark bands in a zigzag pattern that can vary in both shape and color. Not edible.
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Source: Informacion
