Crayfish lineages conservation in north-western Apennine

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

Native populations of the white-clawed crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes, have dramatically declined over the last 50 years in Europe, and by about 74% in Italy over the last 10 years. Residual populations of A. pallipes are now confined to small high-gradient streams and headwaters. The conservation status for A. pallipes populations in the Italian continental biogeographic region (including North-Western Apennine) is unfavourable-inadequate and in considerable decline, thus with a negative trend in the short-term period. However, North-Western Italy is a hotspot for A. pallipes, where high nucleotide diversity was detected and different groups overlap. The invasive cold-water crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus and the most widespread Cambaridae Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in Italy, Procambarus clarkii and Orconectes limosus, are strong competitors of the native crayfish and also carriers of crayfish plague. Another threat to the native species is the excessive release of salmonids for repopulation, with possible spread of pathogens.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the LIFE-CLAW project is to conserve and enhance the stock of the endangered freshwater crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes in the North-Western Apennine area of the Italian regions of Emilia Romagna and Liguria by a long-term conservation programme.

Specific objectives of the project are to: (1) establish four ex-situ breeding facilities to ensure the long-term survival of A. pallipes populations; (2) protect and increase the A. pallipes populations most significant for the conservation of the species genetic diversity; (3) counteract the dispersal of crayfish IAS by their intensive and continuous removal along the invaded areas, as well as by building physical crayfish barriers; (4) establish a "crayfish zonation map" in order to identify the watercourses suitable for crayfish as well as to promote the ban of the continuous release of salmonids that alters the ecosystem balance; (5) conduct a broad communicationcampaign to create an open dialogue with stakeholders, not only to increase awareness, but also to discourage inappropriate introduction of IAS; (6) constitute a network among local stakeholders and communities for the conservation of the species; and (7) transfer best practice techniques and develop a concrete conservation strategy plan for native crayfish, which could be exploited in other contexts in Italy and elsewhere in Europe.

The project contributes to the Habitats Directive by improving the conservation status of Austropotamobius pallipes, listed in Annexes II and IV, and to the European Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 (targets 1, 4, 5 and 6). The project interventions are in accordance with the EU Regulation (1143/2014) on Invasive Species. Management Plans of project SCIs will be updated and the project will contribute to an integrated management of the aquatic ecosystem, implementing the European Water Framework Directive.

RESULTS

Expected results:

·       A team of experts for the conservation of A. pallipes in North-Western Apennines;

·       Assessment of the abundance/habitat conditions of at least 40 crayfish populations and of crayfish IAS/crayfish plague presence within 28 SCIs/SACs;

·       Molecular characterisation (mtDNA and nuclear loci) of a minimum of 40 crayfish populations;

·       WebGIS interactive maps of native crayfish (restricted access), crayfish IAS (public access for crowd mapping) and crayfish plague presence;

·       A minimum reduction of 60% of invasive Cambaridae crayfish populations in the hill areas and of two P. leniusculus populations after trapping activities (1 000 and 500 traps, respectively) and the construction of at least three physical crayfish barrier systems;

·       About 1 200 crayfish from 40 populations (30 specimens for each) tested by non-destructive sampling techniques to assess the circulation of low pathogenic crayfish plague strain in the river basins within 28 SCIs/SACs;

·       Establishment/renovation of four breeding facilities consisting of four outdoor (178 m²) and an indoor hatchery (tank area 10 m²) and rearing of about 550 A. pallipes for breeding;

·       Production of about 10 500 hatchery-reared juveniles and establishment of at least 12 new viable populations of A. pallipes (24% increase) within 28 SCIs/SACs;

·       Creation of three source areas and at least 35 habitat restoration interventions, improving watercourse sections along 33 km within 28 SCIs/SACs;

·       A map of "crayfish zonation" with updating of Conservation Measures or/and Management Plans of project SCIs/SACs;

·       Implementation of an extensive communication/dissemination/education programme; and

·       Transfer of the concrete actions developed during the project to at least two other areas.