Author: Christian Ries

Website neobiota.lu relaunched

Posted onAuthorChristian Ries

At the beginning of April 2018 the website neobiota.lu was relaunched. In addition to a new WordPress theme that is still compatible with all possible screen sizes, the 136 Internet pages on which individual invasive species are presented have been updated. On each species page a reporting link is provided which opens the corresponding reporting page on the data portal of the National Museum of Natural History. As soon as a listed invasive alien species is reported, an alert email is automatically sent to members of IAS Group Luxembourg, who dispatch the information to experts in charge of data validation. This builds a crucial tool in early detection of IAS.

A number of new Internet pages have been added, including the list of IAS of EU concern and the Black, Watch, Alert Lists and a full listing of IAS of Luxembourg concern.

If you, dear readers, notice any inconsistencies or typing errors, please do not hesitate to → .

Christian Ries & Manou Pfeiffenschneider

 Last updated on Friday, April 20, 2018.

Public conference on IAS – 20 March 2018 @ MNHNL

Posted onAuthorChristian Ries

Presentation slides in PDF format

Invasive alien species of Luxembourg and EU concern

European regulation and challenges for Luxembourg

In order to combat invasive alien species with a significant impact on biodiversity, public health or the economy, a European regulation (No. 1143/2014) defines a whole range of measures and obligations. Member States must therefore, among other things, set up a monitoring system, provide for management measures or even eradication, and impose restrictions on the keeping and marketing of these species.

The conference aims to give an overview of the obligations arising from these regulations and to present the targeted species with a particular focus on those already present in Luxembourg. Finally, the widely used species action plans currently under development will be presented.

Within the framework of setting up a surveillance system in Luxembourg, the contribution of field actors is a key element. The conference is also intended to motivate naturalists and other interested parties to share their observations.

Detailed program

  1. The European Regulation on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species – Nora Elvinger (MDDI)
  2. Species covered by European regulations – Sandra Cellina (ANF), Carole Molitor (AGE), Christian Ries (MNHNL)
  3. Action Plans for the Management of Widely Spread Alien Species – Tiago de Sousa (ANF)

Organisation: Ministry of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure – Environment Department (MDDI), Nature and Forestry Administration (ANF), Water Management Administration (AGE), National Museum of Natural History (MNHNL), The Luxembourg Naturalist Society (SNL), Association of Luxembourg Biologists (ABIOL).

Registration

Registration requested by email at

→ Invitation [French, PDF 294 KB]

 Last updated on Thursday, March 22, 2018.

Spot the cherry laurel – A citizen science survey with children

Posted onAuthorChristian Ries

The children magazine Panewippchen, edited for the members of the Panda-Club of the Luxembourg National Museum of Natural History, has published an interview with Dr Christian Ries, curator of the Department of Ecology:

  • Schaltz, Michèle, 2017. Fuerschung am ‘Natur Musée’: Ekologie. Panewippchen 4: 6-11. [PDF 2.2 MB]

The last page of the article suggests the young readers to participate to a citizen science survey concerning the recent spread into the wild of the cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus L.), a common garden plant in Luxembourg, mostly planted to build hedges. Fruits can be dispersed over long distances by birds.

Interested children are asked to look into the forests in their neighbourhood, the evergreen cherry laurel being very easy to spot in winter time, when trees and shrubs rejected their leaves.

The children are asked to send the following basic information to :

  1. How many cherry laurel individuals have been spotted?
  2. Where were they spotted (using GPS of portable devices)
  3. Observers name, age, address and email address.

 Last updated on Monday, January 8, 2018.

DNADIVE – New research project on invasive crayfish

Posted onAuthorChristian Ries

See also the project web page at https://faune-flore.lu/dnadive/

DNADIVE aims at developing a molecular toolbox enabling eDNA detection for Invasive crayfish in streams of Luxembourg. This Public2 Partnership project has been accepted by FNR in November 2017 and will start on 1st January 2018. The project will be hosted by Fondation faune-flore and it’s principal investigator will be the French researcher Dr David Porco. Project partnership: Luxembourg National Museum of Natural History (MNHNL), Luxembourg Institute of Science & Technology (LIST), Water management Agency (AGE), Ministry for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure (MDDI), University of Duisburg-Essen (Germany).

Abstract

DNADIVE aims at developing a toolbox for the molecular monitoring of invasive crayfish in the streams of Luxembourg. Three exotic species (Orconectes limosus, Pacifastacus leniusculus and Astacus leptodactylus) and a native one (Astacus astacus) will be targeted for the project.

This molecular toolbox will encompass several techniques of detection comprising (1) a simple amplification method easily performed in a laboratory with few elements, (2) a digital droplet amplification (ddPCR) which is a more elaborated lab method that can allow for a higher detection sensitivity and a possible quantification of DNA that could be related through the proxy of biomass and abundance to the size of the populations detected and (3) an isotherm amplification method (iPCR) i.e. a simple, cost effective approach which will allow for a field detection usable by non-trained agents.

The results will enable the development of a predictive species distribution model for the target species and to infer their impact on freshwater communities through the comparison with previous sampling campaigns. This set of methods has the high potential to efficiently contribute to early detection and routine monitoring of the invasive crayfish species in Luxembourg, thus allowing for a timely and efficient decision-making and appropriate management.

 Last updated on Monday, December 11, 2017.

Public conference on the management of Greater Canada goose in Flanders, Belgium

Posted onAuthorChristian Ries

By Tim Adriaens & Frank Huysentruyt, Research Institute for Nature and Forest, Brussels.

In Flanders, Canada goose are causing social, economic and ecological impacts. The population is managed using a combination of methods which requires an adaptive management approach involving multiple actors and stakeholders and monitoring of the population. The lecture will also address the Egyptian goose.

Tim Adriaens is a research associate at the Research Institute for Nature and Forest in Brussels where he co-ordinates invasive species activities throughout the institute. Current invasion biology research topics include, among others, sustainable control of invasive amphibian and feral exotic geese populations, invasive weeds, ruddy duck eradication and monitoring, aquatic invasive species, exotic insects used for biological control.

Frank Huysentruyt is also a research associate at the Research Institute for Nature and Forest and specialised in Wildlife Management and Alien Species.

Tuesday 28 November 2017, 18:30 – 20:00
Musée national d’histoire naturelle
25, rue Münster, L-2160 Luxembourg

→ Download the Invitation in PDF format

 Last updated on Monday, April 23, 2018.

Luxembourg reports Nutria to the EU within the EASIN notification system

Posted onAuthorChristian Ries

On 19th September 2017, a forester captured a Nutria (Myocastor coypus) in Osweiler (commune of Rosport, eastern Luxembourg) and put it to sleep.

This detection of an IAS of Union concern (Anonymous 2016) has been notified by the Luxembourg authorities on 26 September 2017 and an Eradication Measure Set has been submitted as well on 26 September 2017, pursuant to Article 17(1) of R. 1143/2014 (Anonymous 2014).

Biberratte - Nutria - coypu - Myocastor coypus - ragondin - castor des marais - Mönchbruch - December 25th 2012 - 03

Coypu (Myocastor coypus), Moenchbruch lake, Hesse, Germany.
By Norbert Nagel (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The species was first documented in Luxembourg in 1957 at the Alzette river next to Hunsdorf (Municipality of Lorentzweiler). Currently, it is only observed sporadically in Luxembourg. Because of its occurrence in the bordering regions of France (Chiers, Moselle) and Germany (Saar), it is likely that the species will populate national watercourses within the near future (Becker-Krüll & Schaefer 2013).

Bibliography

  • Anonymous, 2014. Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species. Official Journal of the European Union 4.11.2014 L 317: 35-55.
  • Anonymous, 2016. Commission implementing regulation (EU) 2016/1141 of 13 July 2016 adopting a list of invasive alien species of Union concern pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Official Journal of the European Union L 189: 4-5.
  • Becker-Krüll, L. & P. Schaefer, 2013. Jagdbare Wildtierarten Luxemburgs. Administration de la nature et des forêts, Luxembourg, 96 pp.

 Last updated on Thursday, September 28, 2017.

Update of the list of IAS of Union concern

Posted onAuthorChristian Ries

The European Commission has published an update of the list of invasive alien species of Union concern in the Official Journal on July 13th 2017:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2017.182.01.0037.01.ENG&toc=OJ:L:2017:182:TOC

The webpage http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/invasivealien/ has been updated accordingly and includes a new brochure on all 49 species (at the moment only available in English pdf format): http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/pdf/IAS_brochure_species.pdf

The JRC report on the baseline distribution of the 37 species on the first list is available here: https://easin.jrc.ec.europa.eu/Docum entation/Baseline

Communicated on July 13th 2017 by the IAS team of DG ENV, European Commission

 Last updated on Friday, August 18, 2017.

2016 Mosquito survey catches determined

Posted onAuthorChristian Ries

In 2016, the Luxembourg National Natural History Museum has started a survey on mosquito species in Luxembourg. Between July and October mosquitoes have been weekly trapped on 10 sites throughout the country, in co-operation with local and regional partner organizations and private persons.

On June 14th and 15th 2017, Mosquito specialist Dr Francis Schaffner from University of Zurich determined the 2016 catches at the Museum.

F.l.t.r.: Svenja Christian (Department of Invertebrates Zoology MNHNL) and Dr Francis Schaffner (University of Zurich) in the Lab of the Department of Ecology. Photo: Dr Christian Ries, MNHNL, 15 June 2016.

Results

182 mosquitoes were caught during 90 catches from 10 sites.

Culex pipiens / torrentium (9 out of 10 sites)
 175
Anopheles plumbeus (Kockelscheuer, Steinsel)
 3
Culiseta annulata (Remerschen)
 1
Coquillettidia richiardii (Remerschen)
 1
Aedes vexans (Kockelscheuer)
 1
Aedes cinereus (Kockelscheuer) 1

Locality, Partners (#Catches|#Specimen)

We thank the following partners who have run the traps on their sites.

  • Diekirch, Administration de la nature et des forêts (11|0)
  • Esch-sur-Sûre, Naturpark Öewersauer (PNHS) (12|9)
  • Kalborn-Moulin, natur&ëmwelt – Fondation Hëllef fir d’Natur (10|6)
  • Kockelscheier, natur&ëmwelt – Haus vun der Natur (11|48)
  • Leudelange, private owner (10|27)
  • Lintgen, private owner (9|23)
  • Luxembourg / Grund, MNHNL (11|19)
  • Remerschen, Biodiversum (5|16)
  • Schrassig, private owner (6|24)
  • Steinsel, private owner (5|10)

 Last updated on Thursday, June 15, 2017.

Cochlearia danica L.

Posted onAuthorChristian Ries

English Danish scurvygrass ISEIA: not assessed yet
Lëtzebuergesch Dänescht Läffelkraut EASIN
Français Cochléaire du Danemark Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Danish scurvygrass Wikipedia - Français - Wikipedia - Deutsch - Dänisches Löffelkraut Wikipedia - Nederlands - Deens lepelblad
Deutsch Dänisches Löffelkraut Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Claytonia perfoliata
Nederlands Deens lepelblad Back to the list of neophytes

Importance and distribution in Luxembourg

One single documented observation of the species exists for Luxembourg. The plant was observed in 2011 in Luxembourg-Kirchberg by Jean-Claude Kirpach and determined by Thierry Helminger.

Bibliography

  • Cochard, P.-O., 2005. Cochlearia danica L., une halophyte adventice des autoroutes. Symbioses nouvelle série 13 : 69-74. [http://pierreo.cochard.free.fr/cv_poc/Cochard_Cochlearia.pdf]
  • Havrenne, A., 1995. Cochlearia danica, plante halophile nouvelle pour le Hainaut. Natura Mosana 48 : 68-69.
  • Mennema, J., 1986. Cochlearia danica L. op weg naar de binnenlanden van België en West-Duitsland. Dumortiera 34-35 : 139-142.
  • Olivier, J.-F., 1996. Nouvelles stations de Cochlearia danica L. près de Bruxelles. Dumortiera 66 : 1-3.
  • Remacle, A., 2015. L’intérêt botanique des espaces verts autoroutiers : le cas de l’autoroute E411 près d’Arlon (province de Luxembourg, Belgique). Dumortiera 107 : 3-21.
  • Robyns, J., 1978. Floristische mededelingen : Cochlearia danica te Ezemaal. Dumortiera 10 : 296.
  • Zwaenepoel, A., 1994. Cochlearia danica L. als bermhalofyt langs verkeerswegen in het Vlaamse binnenland. Dumortiera 55-57 : 43-49.

 Last updated on Monday, March 5, 2018.

First observation of Impatiens balfourii in Luxembourg

Posted onAuthorChristian Ries

Impatiens balfourii. Luxembourg, Kirchberg. Photo: Roland Proess, 5 August 2016.

Impatiens balfourii Hook.f. was first observed in Luxembourg, in the wild, in 2016, on the edge of the Kirchberg plateau by Roland Proess. It is at present just considered to be subspontaneous, it may however have the potential of getting naturalized in Luxembourg due to climate change.

Yves Krippel & Roland Proess have written a detailed article on the subject which was published in the Bulletin of the Luxembourg Naturalist Society:

  • Krippel, Y. & R. Proess, 2017. Impatiens balfourii Hook.f. (Balsaminaceae), nouvelle espèce subspontanée au Luxembourg ?. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 119: 55-61. [PDF 2,72 MB]

Impatiens balfourii has been assessed today according to the ISEIA protocol by Yves Krippel and Christian Ries: B1, Watch List.

Two other invasive alien balsam species occur in Luxembourg: the Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera Royle), one of the most common and widespread invasive neophytes in Luxembourg, and the small balsam (Impatiens parviflora DC.), which is widespread in forest ecosystems across Luxembourg.

 Last updated on Friday, April 20, 2018.