LIFE Project Cover Photo

RAPID LIFE - holistic management of Invasive Alien Species in freshwater aquatic, riparian and coastal ecosystems

Reference: LIFE16 NAT/UK/000582 | Acronym: RAPID LIFE

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

Invasive alien species are considered to be one of the most significant causes of biodiversity loss, second only to habitat destruction. Target 5 (combat invasive alien species) of the EU Biodiversity Strategy recognises the severe impact that IAS have on biodiversity within Europe and the need for them to be managed more effectively. They represent a major threat to native plants and animals in Europe, causing damage worth billions of euros to the European economy every year. The Regulation 1143/2014 on invasive alien species entered into force on 1 January, 2015. It provides for a set of measures to be taken across the EU in relation to invasive alien species included on an EU list.


OBJECTIVES

The project, RAPID (Reducing and Preventing IAS Dispersal) LIFE, aimed to deliver a package of measures to reduce the impact and spread of IAS in freshwater aquatic, riparian and coastal environments across England. It planned to help conserve species protected under the Birds and Habitats Directives while assisting in compliance with the EU Regulation on IAS, Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Water Framework Directive. The conservation status of Natura 2000 sites would also be enhanced and protected.

Specifically, the project aimed to:

  • Establish a regionally-based framework across England to deliver more effective IAS management, facilitating the production of regional IAS management plans;
  • Prevent the introduction of new IAS to the project’s target environments by increasing biosecurity awareness among target audiences, through a coordinated programme of engagement at national and regional levels;
  • Increase awareness and the efficacy of UK-level early warning and rapid response systems within England and establish localised rapid response protocols;
  • Eradicate and control established IAS in high-priority areas while demonstrating strategic and best practice approaches; and
  • Disseminate the exemplar approach throughout European and international networks.

 


RESULTS

The RAPID LIFE project piloted an innovative approach to IAS management in freshwater aquatic, riparian and coastal environments across England. This approach has enhanced management of IAS in target environments across England, while giving a strategic underpinning to IAS management at local and regional levels and supporting the increased effectiveness of biosecurity campaigns. The conservation actions carried out by the project contributed to preventing the introduction of novel IAS, raised awareness of IAS-related issues and improved coordination of IAS management.

A main outcome of the project was the establishment of a framework, through the development of Regional IAS Management Plans – RIMPs, for coordinating IAS management activities in the UK and make them more strategic. It also helped bridge the gap between nationwide strategies, such as the Great Britain (GB) IAS Strategy, and action on the ground at a local level. The RIMPs consider both the prevention of new IAS and effective management of established IAS.

The project also supported further development a web-based platform from INNS (Invasive Non-native Species) Mapper, which originally only covered Yorkshire, but has now been expanded to cover the whole of England. The platform is expected to benefit relevant stakeholders and is connected to the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Atlas and iRecord, along with several other recording systems.

A fully functional IAS management toolkit was made available on the RAPID LIFE webpages on the Great Britain Non-native Species Secretariat (GB NNSS) website. It consists of biosecurity awareness and training materials, marine and freshwater resources, informational videos, priority species resources and good practice IAS management guides. Additionally, the project supported development of a suite of tailored online dissemination materials focused around the Check-Clean-Dry (CCD) message for delivery to a variety of water managers and water users. The message was communicated through a series of local contractors that held workshops and advisory sessions for a wide range of stakeholders. The same message has been promoted in Europe through networking activities with other LIFE projects and agencies responsible for IAS in other Member States.

Conservation activities focused on two catchment-level flagship initiatives, which demonstrate good practice management of Himalayan balsam (Impatiens gladulifera) and Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), as well as three sub-catchment management initiatives, which covered the control of American skunk cabbage (Lysichiton americanus), floating pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides) and giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum). The conservation actions also included rearing and releasing of the native white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes), the management of the invasive signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) and biological control work of two species of invasive weeds, Himalayan balsam (Impatiens gladulifera) and Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica).

Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).

ADMINISTRATIVE DATA


Reference: LIFE16 NAT/UK/000582
Acronym: RAPID LIFE
Start Date: 01/07/2017
End Date: 31/12/2020
Total Eligible Budget: 1,136,663 €
EU Contribution: 681,698 €
Project Location:

CONTACT DETAILS


Coordinating Beneficiary: Animal and Plant Health Agency
Legal Status: PAT
Address: 17 Smith Square, SW1P 3JR, London,
Contact Person: Alexia FISH
Email: Send Email
Website: Visit Website


LIFE Project Map

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ADDRESSED

THEMES

  • Risk assessment and monitoring
  • Invasive species
  • Awareness raising - Information

KEYWORDS

  • aquatic ecosystem
  • monitoring
  • biodiversity
  • information service
  • preventive measure
  • early warning system

TARGET EU LEGISLATION

  • Directive 2000/60 - Framework for Community action in the field of water policy (23.10.2000)
  • COM(2011) 244 final “Our life insurance, our natural capital: an EU biodiversity strategy to 2020” (03.05.2011)
  • Regulation 1143/2014 - Prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species (22.10.2014)

TARGET HABITAT TYPES

  • 0 - Non applicable (i.e.species project)

SPECIES

  • Austropotamobius pallipes

NATURA 2000 SITES

Type Code Name
SCI UK0012647 River Wensum
SCI UK0012599 River Itchen
SCI UK0013016 River Avon

BENEFICIARIES

Name Type
Animal and Plant Health Agency Coordinator
Natural England, United Kingdom Participant
Bristol Clifton West of England Zoological Society, United Kingdom Participant

READ MORE

Type Resource
Project web site Project's website
Publication Layman report
Publication After-LIFE Conservation Plan
Publication "Good practice management: Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas)" (900 KB)
Publication "Good practice management: New Zealand Pygmyweed (Crassula helmsii)" (796 KB)
Publication Project's Final technical report
Publication "Good practice management: Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera)" (1.83 MB)
Publication "Good Practice management: American Mink (Neovison vison)" (593 KB)
Publication Layman report (French version)
Publication Layman report (Dutch version)
Publication "Good practice management: Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica)" (1.23 MB)
Publication "Good practice management: American Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton americanus)" (706 KB)
Publication "Good practice management: Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)" (1.73 MB)
Publication "Good practice management: Floating Pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides)" (1.23 MB)
Publication "Good practice management: Curly Waterweed (Lagarosiphon major)" (928 KB)
Publication "Good practice management: Carpet Sea Squirt (Didemnum vexillum)" (896 KB)
Video link "Creating a Biosercurity Plan" [EN - 3'39]
Slides Presentation "Shrimps, Bivalves and Fish: ID and Impacts" (2.16 MB)
Slides Presentation "Aquatic Plants: ID and Impacts" (1.78 MB)
Slides Presentation "Vertebrates: Ecology and Impacts" (1.44 MB)
Slides Presentation "Freshwater invasive non-native species: Impacts on Event Managers and Practical Biosecurity Steps" (3.12 MB)
Slides Presentation "Freshwater Invasive Non-Native Species: Impacts on Marina and Boat Club Managers and Practical Biosecurity Steps" (3.11 MB)
Newsletter "RAPID: Reducing and Preventing Invasive Alien Species Dispersal: RAPID Newsletter: October 2018" (871 KB)
Newsletter "Rapid: Reducing and Preventing Invasive Alien Species Dispersal" (819 KB)
Leaflet "Rapid: Holistic, innovative management of Invasive Alien Species in freshwater aquatic riparian & coastal English ecosystems" (1.28 MB)