More than 300 invasive exotic species currently found in Spanish rivers

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invasive alien species According to a paper coordinated by Life Invasaqua, the number of EEIs present in inland water ecosystems in Spain and Portugal, including animals, plants, algae and fungi, is currently around 300 in 2021, compared to 306 in 2022. It is 326. project.

Species alien to Iberian ecosystems They pose a danger to native animals and plantsThey compete with each other for habitat and food. In many cases, the spread of an exotic species goes hand in hand with the decline of native populations, which eventually threatens extinction.

The study, in which 65 experts from around thirty Spanish and Portuguese institutions participated, was published in the journal NeoBiota, one of the most well-known scientific publications in the field of biological invasions.

The animal that caused havoc in Spain: Zebra mussel Efe

This is the most current inventory Life Invasaqua coordinator and University of Murcia professor Francisco Oliva explained to Efe that the IAS present in Iberian water systems is a fundamental document for evaluating the implementation of state and European regulations.

A total of 326 exotic species were identified found in our rivers, reservoirs, lagoons and estuariesOf these, 215 are already established in the wild, 96 are in an uncertain state of establishment, and 15 are classified as cryptogenic taxa (those with an unknown biogeographic history that cannot be classified as native or exotic in a location).

Crabs, molluscs and fish, especially

Among the most numerous species groups, arthropods stand out (e.g. American red crab or blue crab), mollusks (such as zebra mussels or Asian clams), and vertebrates, especially fish (catfish, carp, or gambusia).

Oliva emphasized that the study also reflects that the majority of the introductions of these species have occurred in recent years, which underscores the need for action to prevent and respond quickly to invasive exotics.

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Only approximately 25% of the listed species are also included in the national catalogs of invasive exotic species of Spain and Portugal.

In this sense, the authors emphasize the following: The usefulness of such inventories in updating national catalogues. and they call for transnational strategies to adequately respond to biological invasions in countries neighboring the European Union.

Co-financed with European funds, Life Invasaqua has worked for five years to raise public awareness of the problem of IAS in freshwater and estuary systems in Spain and Portugal, highlighting the importance of combating these invasions in a coordinated manner. parties, sectors.

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Contact address of the environmental department:[email protected]

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