Improve habitat quality and climate-adaptivity of freshwater ecosystems through management of alien invasive aquatic invertebrates.

ongoing

CLANCY will increase the capacity of the North Sea Region (NSR) to preserve climate-adaptive, biodiverse ecosystems, through management of Chinese Mitten Crab, (CMC). CMC are a threat to aquatic biodiversity and can affect the structure of coastal and inland water bodies by altering hydro-morphodynamic properties and aquatic vegetation. Capacity building: In each country, status and impact studies were performed on CMC independently, with different degrees of detail. A cross-border effort will be performed to share all available data on CMC populations, distribution and impact. Data will be collected in a newly created joint database. Implementation: traps will be used to monitor and manage the invasive CMC populations. Study areas will be equipped with traps specifically tailored to local conditions, based on the pioneer trap design showcased in Flanders. The design will be adapted to local conditions. This specific innovation is key to transnational deployment. By performing genetic analyses on captured crab individuals, we will perform an in depth assessment of cross-border population dispersion and connectivity. Ecological monitoring will be set up in reference areas with and without traps, to acquire knowledge on the crabs impact on habitat quality. Specific attention will be paid to avoiding bycatch of other invertebrate communities. Societal impact: Results will be translated into a cost-benefit analysis and roadmaps for transboundary invasive species management. A co-creative approach will be implemented involving local stakeholders, to make sure these roadmaps and analysis can be directly implemented by key users. CLANCY will thusly contribute to the governance of coordinated cross-border species management, adapted to local and regional needs and conditions. Valorisation and accrual of captured CMC biomass will be developed with industry partners along with an infrastructure plan for value chain establishment. Overall Objective: CLANCY will design management roadmaps for CMC in the NSR. This includes implementation of control measures, impact monitoring plans, management guidelines, pathways for biomass reuse, and recommendations for optimal involvement of stakeholders.

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