The project started with literature reviews produced by all the ESRs. On this basis, a number of field and laboratory protocols were developed and optimised to use eDNA and barcoding/metabarcoding in the detection of AIS in freshwater (ESR 1) and marine environments/ballast water (ESR1, ESR 5), and to examine the role of connectivity in the dispersal of native and invasive species (ESR1). Species Distribution Models were developed to identify the main vectors of introduction and dispersal (ESR2), using UK as a testing area. This work identified ecological and anthropogenic critical factors. ESR 6 carried out a number of practical experiments to look at the role of marine litter as a vector of dispersal of AIS, initially in the Cantabrian coast to develop the sampling and analyses strategies and then expanding the work to the open ocean. Additional work was carried out to analyse the ecological factors that determine the distribution and seasonality of non-native seaweed and their co-existence with native species, using field sampling and molecular methods (ESR 8, ESR 1). In terms of control and management of AIS, ecological factors were analysed to understand invasion success in both freshwater vertebrates and invertebrates including mating behaviour (ESR 4), diet and niche overlap (ESR 3, ESR 7), and synergistic relationships between species (ESR 3, ESR 7). Additional work has analysed the success of eradication efforts using traditional field sampling and molecular methods (ESR 7, ESR 3). Finally, the dissemination/citizen science part of the project included a questionnaire on social perception of invasive species (ESR 2) and the preparation and delivery of educational material for schools and general public (ESR 8). The results have been disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and have been presented at international conferences and in the project website. All ESRs participated in 4 AQUAINVAD-ED -specific training events and in specific training courses at their institutions. ESRs have also presented their work at external conferences and 4 networking events organised by the consortium, one of them being an International conference organised as a special session of the Neobiota biannual conference (
http://www.neobiota2018.org/ehome/166837/AQUAINVAD-ED/(si apre in una nuova finestra)) attended by more than 100 people.
The main achievements of the project were:
• Training of 8 international Early Career Researchers to PhD level.
• One international conference on AIS control and management attended by more than 100 people.
• Development and optimisation of molecular protocols for early detection of a number of marine and freshwater AIS, including some of the most common invaders in Europe.
• Development and optimisation of molecular protocols for the monitoring of ballast water and fouled floating objects to avoid the inadvertent introduction of AIS.
• Development of ecological tools to assess the impacts of AIS (including synergies between different species).
• Development of Species Distribution Models to predict AIS dispersal based on ecological and anthropogenic factors (including routes of introduction).
• Identification of critical routes of AIS introduction and dispersal.
• Information of citizen perception of invasive species in three different European countries (UK, Italy and Spain), through a questionnaire translated into the three national languages.
• Production of educational materials and dissemination events for schools, general public and media.
• Collaboration with local stakeholders (e.g. environmental managers, port authorities) on AIS control and management.
