Genk (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Last summer, INBO organized a project in Flanders where 25 volunteers studied invasive marbled crayfish, which threaten local ecosystems by rapidly reproducing and depleting resources. Wietse Chanet highlights the urgency of controlling their spread, especially in Limburg and Antwerp.
Last summer, the Institute for Nature and Forest Research (INBO) organized a project in Flanders to study crayfish in local ponds and rivers. Many volunteers helped by searching for different types of crayfish. In Limburg, 25 volunteers joined in to find out how these crayfish are spreading and affecting the environment. Their work is important for understanding the impact of invasive crayfish on local waterways.
How are marbled crayfish threatening Limburg’s ecosystems and local wildlife?
Volunteers found marbled crayfish during their survey, which is a problem because these crayfish can spread quickly. They can reproduce by themselves, so one crayfish can make more. This can lead to fighting for food with local species. Marbled crayfish also cause issues by increasing algae and affecting plants and small animals, which can destroy local wildlife.
According to Wietse Chanet from INBO the marbled crayfish, an American species, poses a serious threat to ponds and streams by consuming almost everything, including plants and animals, which can lead to empty water bodies. This crayfish originated in aquariums and can clone itself, allowing its population to grow rapidly. They can move between water sources and dig into the ground to hide, making them difficult to control. It’s important to act quickly if they are spotted, especially since catching them is easier when their numbers are low. Besides Limburg, they have also been found mainly in the province of Antwerp.
