Procambarus clarkii in Andean Waters: Ecological impacts and mitigation efforts
In 2013, the invasive crayfish species Procambarus clarkii was introduced into the high Andean lake of Yahuarcocha in Ecuador. By 2018, the population had increased significantly, coinciding with the last recorded presence of submerged macrophytes. By 2020, the abundance of P. clarkii had declined, with only a few individuals detected in traps or after several days of monitoring in areas adjacent to the lake. P. clarkii is considered a major factor driving the lake into a hypereutrophic state, exacerbated by anthropogenic influences such as sewage and influent pollution. This crayfish species is also associated with changes in the composition of the local macroinvertebrate and fish communities. Since 2019, various efforts have been made to improve the water quality of the lake. These efforts include the control and monitoring of influents and effluents, the use of ultrasound technology, eDNA monitoring and the reintroduction of aquatic plants. Initially, these measures resulted in a resurgence of submerged macrophytes in 2021. However, in 2023 the regrowth of the P. clarkii population reduced the submerged macrophytes again. Currently the species is present in twelve water bodies in the Ecuadorian highlands.
Details
| Aantal pagina's | 25 |
|---|---|
| Type | Poster |
| Categorie | Onderzoek |
| Taal | Engels |
Bibtex
@misc{9e4fe1ed-a5f1-4d9b-8fed-7285ae3d790d,
title = "Procambarus clarkii in Andean Waters: Ecological impacts and mitigation efforts",
abstract = "In 2013, the invasive crayfish species Procambarus clarkii was introduced into the high Andean lake of Yahuarcocha in Ecuador. By 2018, the population had increased significantly, coinciding with the last recorded presence of submerged macrophytes. By 2020, the abundance of P. clarkii had declined, with only a few individuals detected in traps or after several days of monitoring in areas adjacent to the lake. P. clarkii is considered a major factor driving the lake into a hypereutrophic state, exacerbated by anthropogenic influences such as sewage and influent pollution. This crayfish species is also associated with changes in the composition of the local macroinvertebrate and fish communities. Since 2019, various efforts have been made to improve the water quality of the lake. These efforts include the control and monitoring of influents and effluents, the use of ultrasound technology, eDNA monitoring and the reintroduction of aquatic plants. Initially, these measures resulted in a resurgence of submerged macrophytes in 2021. However, in 2023 the regrowth of the P. clarkii population reduced the submerged macrophytes again. Currently the species is present in twelve water bodies in the Ecuadorian highlands. ",
author = "Lenin Riascos Flores and Rodrigo Chiriboga and Alexander Riascos and Jhonatan Montenegro and Benavides Stalin and Julio Bonilla and Margot Vermeylen and Bieke Maex and Kevin Scheers and Frederique Steen and Miguel Gualoto and Mauricio Ortega and Peter Goethals and Christine van der Heyden",
year = "2024",
month = sep,
day = "17",
doi = "",
language = "Nederlands",
publisher = "Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek",
address = "België,
type = "Other"
}
Auteurs
Lenin RiascosRodrigo Chiriboga
Alexander Riascos
Jhonatan Montenegro
Benavides Stalin
Julio Bonilla
Margot Vermeylen
Bieke Maex
Kevin Scheers
Frederique Steen
Miguel Gualoto
Mauricio Ortega
Peter Goethals
Christine van der Heyden
