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Boat ramps facilitate the dispersal of the highly invasive zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)

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Abstract

Invasive bivalves can cause widespread ecological damage, but eradication has proved difficult. Identifying the pathways of dispersal is crucial to implementing more effective biocontainment measures. We examined the distribution of the highly invasive zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) in Great Britain through Species Distribution Modelling to determine the drivers of distribution and generated suitability maps to predict future dispersal. Distance to boat ramps was the most important predictor of zebra mussel establishment, accounting for 27% of variation in occurrence. Probability of occurrence was highest within 3 km upstream of boat ramps, probably due to boating activity and the impounded waters typically associated with boat ramps. Our results highlight the need for implementing stringent control measures around boat ramps, and demonstrate the value of spatially modelling species distribution to create risk maps for targeting monitoring efforts at those locations most vulnerable to invasion.

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The data used is derived from public domain resources and available in Online Supplementary Material.

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Funding

This study was supported by Marie Sklodowska-Curie ITN (AQUAINVAD-ED; Grant no. 642197) to SC.

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  1. Marta Rodríguez-Rey

    Present address: Department of Life Sciences, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Research, Department of BioSciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, SA2 8PP, UK

    Marta Rodríguez-Rey, Sofia Consuegra & Carlos Garcia de Leaniz

  2. Department of Life Sciences, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain

    Luca Börger

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  1. Marta Rodríguez-Rey
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  2. Sofia Consuegra
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  3. Luca Börger
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  4. Carlos Garcia de Leaniz
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Contributions

M.R-R., C.G.L and S.C. conceived the idea. M.R-R. compiled and curated the data and M.R-R., C.G.L. and L.B analysed the data. S.C. obtained the funding. All authors interpreted the outputs, contributed to manuscript writing, gave approval for publication and agree to be accountable for any question related to this work.

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Correspondence to Marta Rodríguez-Rey.

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Rodríguez-Rey, M., Consuegra, S., Börger, L. et al. Boat ramps facilitate the dispersal of the highly invasive zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha). Biol Invasions 23, 1487–1496 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-020-02453-9

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