Author: Dr. Christian Ries

Duchesnea indica (Andrews) Th.Wolf

Posted onAuthorDr. Christian Ries

English Yellow-flowered Strawberry Status LU: established. 1st record: LU <2007, ITW 2008.
Lëtzebuergesch Schäinäerdbier Status Eur.: established. 1st record: <1850.
Français Fraisier des Indes RA: ISEIA: C1. Harmonia+: 0,05
Deutsch Scheinerdbeere Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Yellow-flowered Strawberry Wikipedia - Français - Fraisier des Indes Wikipedia - Deutsch - Scheinerdbeere Wikipedia - Nederlands - Schijnaardbei | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Duchesnea indica
Nederlands Schijnaardbei Back to the list of neophytes

Brief description

Duchesnea indica (Andrews) Th.Wolf is a plant native to SE-Asia that prefers relatively moist and shaded habitats. It grows preferentially on soils with high nitrogen supply and benefits from increasing anthropogenic nitrogen deposition. It occurs in woods, grasslands and urban parks. Seeds are known to be dispersed by birds (Branquart et al. 2012).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Duchesnea indica (Andrews) Th.Wolf in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2024-11-28.

In Luxembourg, Duchesnea indica (Andrews) Th.Wolf was first planted in the Mediterranean Garden in Schebsange before 2007 (Moes G. in litt.). The species was first documented in the wild on 2008-10-31 by Florian Hans at Ennëschte Bësch in the municipality of Bertrange (MNHNL 2000-; Krippel et al. 2010). It occurred on about 2 m² along the roadside and a recently cleared softwood plot, together with Alliaria petiolata, Ranunculus repens, Scrophularia nodosa and Urtica dioica.

There are five records of the species in the MNHNL-mdata online portal, four from Luxembourg City and one from Schengen (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2019).

The Yellow-flowered Strawberry is cultivated for ornamental purposes in parks and gardens, it is subspontaneous or naturalised in former parks, garden surroundings, forest roads and cemeteries. This rather rare to rare species is expanding, especially in the western part of the environment (Lambinon & Verloove 2012: 351).

Duchesnea indica was planted in 2002 in the Reimerwee park of the Kirchberg arboretum in Luxembourg City. This population has established itself well (Helminger 2018).

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

C1 (2+1+2+1) (Ries et al. 2013: 18).

Harmonia+ protocol

Overall risk score 0,05 = (Overall Invasion score 0,59 x Overall Impact score 0,09) (Ries et al. 2020).

0,59Invasion
0,09Impact
0,05Risk

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

  • Branquart, E., P. Dupriez, S. Vanderhoeven, W. Van Landuyt, F. Van Rossum, F. Verloove, 2012. Harmonia database: Duchesnea indica (Andrews) Th.Wolf. Harmonia version 1.2, Belgian Forum on Invasive Species. URL: http://ias.biodiversity.be [accessed on 2019-10-09]
  • GBIF 2020. Duchesnea indica (Andr.) Focke in GBIF Secretariat (2019). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei accessed via GBIF.org on 2020-02-28.
  • Helminger, T., 2018. Personal communication to Lucie Lentz during summer 2018.
  • Krippel, Y. & G. Colling, 2010. Notes floristiques. Observations faites au Luxembourg (2008- 2009). Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 111: 11-32. [PDF 209 KB]
  • Lambinon J. & F. Verloove, 2012. Nouvelle flore de la Belgique, du grand-duché de Luxembourg, du Nord de la France et des régions voisines. Sixième édition. Avec la collaboration de L. Delvosalle, B. Toussaint, D. Geerinck, I. Hoste, F. Van Rossum, B. Cornier, R. Schumacker, A. Vanderpoorten et H. Vannerom. Jardin botanique national de Belgique, Meise. CXXXIX + 1195 pp. ISBN : 9789072619884.
  • MNHNL, 2000-. Duchesnea indica (Andrews) Th.Wolf in Recorder-Lux, database on the natural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-09-05]
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2019. Duchesnea indica (Andrews) Th.Wolf in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-09-06]
  • Ries, C. & Y. Krippel, 2021. First records of 56 invasive alien vascular plants in Luxembourg. Bulletin de la Société des naturalistes luxembourgeois 123: 115-127. [PDF 241 KB]
  • Ries, C., Y. Krippel & M. Pfeiffenschneider, 2020. Risk assessment after the Harmonia+ protocol of invasive alien vascular plant species in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 122: 197-205. [PDF 132 KB]
  • Ries, C., Y. Krippel, M. Pfeiffenschneider & S. Schneider, 2013. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of non-native vascular plant species in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 114: 15-21. [PDF 652 KB]

 Page content last updated on 2021-03-03. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-14.

Bidens frondosa L.

Posted onAuthorDr. Christian Ries

English Beggarticks Status LU: established. 1st record: LU & ITW 1959.
Lëtzebuergesch Schwaarzfriichtegen Duebelzant Status Eur.: established. 1st record: IT 1750-1800.
Français Bident feuillé RA: ISEIA: C2. Harmonia+: 0,18
Deutsch Schwarzfrüchtiger Zweizahn Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Beggarticks Wikipedia - Français - Fougère d'eau Wikipedia - Deutsch - Schwarzfrüchtiger Zweizahn Wikipedia - Nederlands - Zwart tandzaad | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Bidens frondosa | CABI
Nederlands Zwart tandzaad Back to the list of neophytes

Brief description

Bidens frondosa L. is a pioneer plant species of moist grounds; it colonises river banks, mud flats, ditches, ponds and other open alluvial habitats (Branquart et al. 2019).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Bidens frondosa L. in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2024-11-28.

Bidens frondosa L. was first documented in Luxembourg by Léopold Reichling and Marcel Etringer on 10th September 1959 on the bank of the Moselle between Stadtbredimus and Hüttermühle, 1 km downstream of the Paul Eyschen Monument, municipality of Stadtbredimus (Reichling 1962; Obs. key: DSS00465000000XF, MNHNL 2000-).

Currently, more than 70 observations of Bidens frondosa are documented, most of them originating in the Moselle valley (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2019).

The species is currently expanding to the west of the flora territory (Lambinon & Verloove 2012: 722).

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

C2 (2+2+2+1) (Ries et al. 2013: 18).

Harmonia+ protocol

Overall risk score 0,18 = (Overall Invasion score 0,64 x Overall Impact score 0,28) (Ries et al. 2020).

0,64Invasion
0,28Impact
0,18Risk

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

  • Branquart, E., S. Vanderhoeven, W. Van Landuyt, F. Van Rossum, F. Verloove, 2019. Harmonia database: Bidens frondosa L.. Harmonia version 1.2, Belgian Forum on Invasive Species. URL: http://ias.biodiversity.be [accessed on 2019-10-02]
  • CABI, 2014. Bidens frondosa [original text by Ian Popay]. In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2020-02-28]
  • Lambinon J. & F. Verloove, 2012. Nouvelle flore de la Belgique, du grand-duché de Luxembourg, du Nord de la France et des régions voisines. Sixième édition. Avec la collaboration de L. Delvosalle, B. Toussaint, D. Geerinck, I. Hoste, F. Van Rossum, B. Cornier, R. Schumacker, A. Vanderpoorten et H. Vannerom. Jardin botanique national de Belgique, Meise. CXXXIX + 1195 pp. ISBN : 9789072619884.
  • MNHNL, 2000-. Bidens frondosa L. in Recorder-Lux, database on the natural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-09-05]
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2019. Bidens frondosa L. in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-09-06]
  • Reichling, L., 1962. Notes floristiques 1959. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 64: 3-52. [PDF 3155 KB]
  • Ries, C. & Y. Krippel, 2021. First records of 56 invasive alien vascular plants in Luxembourg. Bulletin de la Société des naturalistes luxembourgeois 123: 115-127. [PDF 241 KB]
  • Ries, C., Y. Krippel & M. Pfeiffenschneider, 2020. Risk assessment after the Harmonia+ protocol of invasive alien vascular plant species in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 122: 197-205. [PDF 132 KB]
  • Ries, C., Y. Krippel, M. Pfeiffenschneider & S. Schneider, 2013. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of non-native vascular plant species in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 114: 15-21. [PDF 652 KB]

 Page content last updated on 2021-03-02.

Azolla filiculoides Lam.

Posted onAuthorDr. Christian Ries

English Water fern Status LU: established. 1st record: LU ~2002, ITW 2009.
Lëtzebuergesch Waasserfar Status Eur.: established. 1st record: 1870s-1880s.
Français Fougère d’eau RA: ISEIA: C1. Harmonia+: 0,22
Deutsch Großer Algenfarn Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Water fern Wikipedia - Français - Fougère d'eau Wikipedia - Deutsch - Großer Algenfarn Wikipedia - Nederlands - Grote kroosvaren | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Azolla filiculoides | CABI
Nederlands Grote kroosvaren Back to the list of neophytes

Brief description

Azolla filiculoides Lam. (Syn.: A. caroliniana Willd.) originates from tropical America and is naturalised in Western, South and Central Europe and the Canary Islands. Azolla filiculoides form stands that may expand or regress rapidly, depending in particular on thermal factors. Two species of Azolla have been reported in the Flora territory: A. filiculoides and A. caroliniana, but it is now known that these two names are synonymous (Lambinon & Verloove 2012: 41).

Azolla filiculoides is an aquatic fern that settles in ponds, ditches, water reservoirs, wetlands, channels and slow flowing rivers, often together with Lemna minuta. It does not tolerate turbulence or fast flowing water. The plant is spread by flood waters and by the movement of birds, animals and people. It can form dense, floating and monospecific mats at the surface of water bodies that reduce light penetration and gas exchange. These mats often reduce the development of algae, other aquatic plants and animals. However, dense populations seem to be transient and well localised (Branquart et al. 2010).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Azolla filiculoides Lam. in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2024-11-28.

In Luxembourg, Azolla filiculoides was first reported around 2002 from a private garden pond by Claude Reckinger (in litt. 2021). The water fern was first observed in the wild by Karl-Georg Gessner on 10th July 2009 in three ponds close to Bourscheid (Kesselkapp), where it grew in more or less extended carpets in 3 ponds together with Lemna minor, Alisma plantagoaquatica and Glyceria fluitans (MNHNL 2000-, Krippel & Colling 2010: 12).

Discovered in several ponds located in the open countryside, this small fern native to tropical America was known for a few years already in Luxembourg in leisure ponds in private gardens, where it had been introduced with other aquatic plants (Krippel & Colling 2010: 12).

A spectacular proliferation of the water fern appeared in autumn 2005 in the channel of Jouy nearby Metz in French Lorraine (Muller 2006).

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

C1 (2+2+2+2) (Ries et al. 2013: 18).

Harmonia+ protocol

Overall risk score 0,22 = (Overall Invasion score 0,66 x Overall Impact score 0,33) (Ries et al. 2020).

0,66Invasion
0,33Impact
0,22Risk

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

  • Branquart, E., I. Stiers, L. Triest, S. Vanderhoeven, W. Van Landuyt, F. Van Rossum, F. Verloove, 2010. Harmonia database: Azolla filiculoides Lam.. Harmonia version 1.2, Belgian Forum on Invasive Species. URL: http://ias.biodiversity.be [accessed on 2019-10-02]
  • CABI, 2014. Azolla filiculoides [original text by Martin Hill]. In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2020-02-28]
  • Krippel, Y. & G. Colling, 2010. Notes floristiques. Observations faites au Luxembourg (2008- 2009). Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 111: 11-32. [PDF 209 KB]
  • Lambinon J. & F. Verloove, 2012. Nouvelle flore de la Belgique, du grand-duché de Luxembourg, du Nord de la France et des régions voisines. Sixième édition. Avec la collaboration de L. Delvosalle, B. Toussaint, D. Geerinck, I. Hoste, F. Van Rossum, B. Cornier, R. Schumacker, A. Vanderpoorten et H. Vannerom. Jardin botanique national de Belgique, Meise. CXXXIX + 1195 pp. ISBN : 9789072619884.
  • MNHNL, 2000-. Azolla filiculoides Lam. in Recorder-Lux, database on the natural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-09-05]
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2019. Azolla filiculoides Lam. in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-09-06]
  • Muller, S., 2006. Prolifération spectaculaire d’’Azolla filiculoides (Azollaceae, Pteridophyta) dans le canal de Jouy près de Metz (Lorraine, France) à l’automne 2005. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 107: 31-38. [PDF 828 Kb]
  • Oly, M., 2022. Kartierung invasiver gebietsfremder Wasserpflanzen im Großherzotum Luxemburg, Untersuchungen zur Verbreitung von invasiven gebietsfremden Wasserpflanzen in einer beispielhaften Auswahl an Stillgewässern, Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg. 117 pp. 
  • Ries, C. & Y. Krippel, 2021. First records of 56 invasive alien vascular plants in Luxembourg. Bulletin de la Société des naturalistes luxembourgeois 123: 115-127. [PDF 241 KB]
  • Ries, C., Y. Krippel & M. Pfeiffenschneider, 2020. Risk assessment after the Harmonia+ protocol of invasive alien vascular plant species in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 122: 197-205. [PDF 132 KB]
  • Ries, C., Y. Krippel, M. Pfeiffenschneider & S. Schneider, 2013. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of non-native vascular plant species in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 114: 15-21. [PDF 652 KB]

 Page content last updated on 2023-08-17. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-13.

Amelanchier lamarckii F.G. Schroed.

Posted onAuthorDr. Christian Ries

English Juneberry Status LU: established. 1st record: LU 1961, ITW <2000.
Lëtzebuergesch Amerikanesch Leebirchen Status Eur.: established. 1st record: FR ~1850-1900.
Français Amélanchier d’amérique RA: ISEIA: C1. Harmonia+: 0,07
Deutsch Kupfer-Felsenbirne Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Juneberry Wikipedia - Français - Amélanchier d'amérique Wikipedia - Deutsch - Kupfer-Felsenbirne Wikipedia - Nederlands - Amerikaans krentenboompje | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Amelanchier lamarckii | CABI
Nederlands Amerikans krentenboompje Back to the list of neophytes

Brief description

Amelanchier lamarckii A

Amelanchier lamarckii. Photo: 12. April 2007, Wouter Hagens. commons.wikimedia.org

In its introduced range, Amelanchier lamarckii F.G. Schroed. thrives on sandy, acidic soil, especially in heathlands, in open woodlands, along forest edges and in urban areas. Juneberry is apomictic and breeds true from seed. Fruits are dispersed by birds over long distances. Juneberry populations are slowly expanding in Western European countries (Belgium, Germany, Great Britain) and reported to be locally invasive. Juneberry can reduce the development of ground vegetation but it rarely forms dense monospecific stands. Outcompetition of native species is considered as unlikely. Impact on native vegetation is poorly reported in the scientific literature (Branquart et al. 2012).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Amelanchier lamarckii F.G. Schroed. in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2024-11-28.

Amelanchier lamarckii F.G. Schroed. was first reported as Amelanchier canadensis by Léopold Reichling on 1961-06-06 and 1961-06-08 from his garden in Avenue Guillaume, Belair, Luxembourg City (MNHNL 2000-a, LUXNAT Nr 48638).

The species was first observed in the wild by Yves Krippel on 2000-08-04  in the nature reserve Ditgesbaach near Ettelbruck (MNHNL 2000-b).

Amelanchier lamarckii was next recorded in Luxembourg by Krippel & Scheer (2006: 10) on 2003-09-04 on the western slope of Esch-sur-Sûre castle. The species is currently (2018) still present there (Krippel et al. 2019: 164). The next records date before 2008 and cannot be dated exactly as Welter et al. (2008: 62) list 4 undated locations.

In Luxembourg, juneberry is commonly planted as an ornamental tree, which is the case for the records of the species in the municipalities of Luxembourg City (Cents, Limpertsberg) and Hesperange (Welter et al. 2008: 62). In the municipality of Feulen, the species seems to be widely grown in gardens, squares and along streets (MNHNL 2000-c).

Juneberry is a melliferous species born in Europe from a North American strain (Lambinon & Verloove 2012: 373).

Juneberry is an apomictic microspecies, and presumed to be of hybrid origin (A. laevis and either A. arborea or A. canadensis) and therefore under the rules of botanical nomenclature it would be known as Amelanchier × lamarckii (Wikipedia contributors 2019).

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

C1 (1+2+2+1) (Ries et al. 2013: 18).

Harmonia+ protocol

Overall risk score 0,07 = (Overall Invasion score 0,57 x Overall Impact score 0,13) (Ries et al. 2020).

0,57Invasion
0,13Impact
0,07Risk

Worldwide distribution

CABI 2009: https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/4831#toDistributionMaps

Bibliography

  • Branquart, E., S. Vanderhoeven, W. Van Landuyt, F. Van Rossum & F. Verloove, 2012. Harmonia database: Amelanchier lamarckii F.G. Schroed. Harmonia version 1.2, Belgian Forum on Invasive Species. URL: http://ias.biodiversity.be [accessed on 2019-10-16]
  • CABI, 2009. Amelanchier lamarckii F.G. Schroed. [original text by Vicki Bonham]. In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2019-11-22]
  • Krippel, Y. & A. Scheer, 2006. Flore et végétation du château féodal d’Esch-sur-Sûre au Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 106: 3-16. [PDF 253 Kb]
  • Krippel, Y., S. Schneider, A. Schopp-Guth & T. Walisch, 2019. Feuchtwiesen, Felsbiotope, Silikatmagerrasen, Burgen, Eichen-Niederwälder – Lebensräume auf Schiefer im Norden Luxemburgs. Tuexenia Beiheft 12: 137-187.
  • Lambinon J. & F. Verloove, 2012. Nouvelle flore de la Belgique, du grand-duché de Luxembourg, du Nord de la France et des régions voisines. Sixième édition. Avec la collaboration de L. Delvosalle, B. Toussaint, D. Geerinck, I. Hoste, F. Van Rossum, B. Cornier, R. Schumacker, A. Vanderpoorten et H. Vannerom. Jardin botanique national de Belgique, Meise. CXXXIX + 1195 pp. ISBN : 9789072619884.
  • MNHNL, 2000-a. Recorder-Lux, database on the natural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. Amelanchier lamarckii F. G. Schroeder observed on 1991-06-06, occurrence ID LUXNATFUND398819, via https://mdata.mnhn.lu [accessed 2021-01-13].
  • MNHNL, 2000-b. Recorder-Lux, database on the natural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. Amelanchier canadensis observed on 2000-08-04, occurrence ID DSS002920000069H, via https://mdata.mnhn.lu [accessed 2021-01-12].
  • MNHNL, 2000-c. Amelanchier lamarckii F.G. Schroed. in Recorder-Lux, database on the natural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-10-02]
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2019. Amelanchier lamarckii F.G. Schroed. in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-10-16]
  • Ries, C. & Y. Krippel, 2021. First records of 56 invasive alien vascular plants in Luxembourg. Bulletin de la Société des naturalistes luxembourgeois 123: 115-127. [PDF 241 KB]
  • Ries, C., Y. Krippel, M. Pfeiffenschneider & S. Schneider, 2013. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of non-native vascular plant species in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 114: 15-21. [PDF 652 KB]
  • Ries, C., Y. Krippel & M. Pfeiffenschneider, 2020. Risk assessment after the Harmonia+ protocol of invasive alien vascular plant species in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 122: 197-205. [PDF 132 KB]
  • Welter A., J.Turk & J. Trossen, 2008. Les arbres introduits au Luxembourg. Inventaire des essences arborescentes non indigènes de pleine terre présentes sur le territoire du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg. Ferrantia 53, Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg, ISSN 1682-5519, 111 pp.
  • Wikipedia contributors, 2019. Amelanchier lamarckii F.G. Schroed. in Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 11 September 2019, 16:47 UTC. URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Amelanchier_lamarckii&oldid=915169386 [accessed 2 October 2019]

 Page content last updated on 2021-03-02. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-13.

Ameiurus nebulosus Lesueur, 1819

Posted onAuthorDr. Christian Ries

English Brown bullhead Status LU: established. 1st record: 1892.
Lëtzebuergesch Kazewels Status Eur.: established.
Français Barbotte brune RA: ISEIA: C1. Harmonia+: n/a.
Deutsch Katzenwels Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Brown bullhead Wikipedia - Français - Barbotte brune Wikipedia - Deutsch - Katzenwels Wikipedia - Nederlands - Bruine dwergmeerval | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Ameiurus nebulosus
Nederlands Bruine dwergmeerval Back to the list of vertebrates

Brief description

Ameiurus nebulosus HungaryAmeiurus nebulosus Lesueur, 1819 is a fish species that lives in standing and slow-running waters where it can cope with low oxygen levels, water pollution and high temperatures. The omnivorous species can form very dense populations and is able to dominate freshwater fish communities. The diet of large-sized bullheads has been found to consist almost exclusively of juvenile fishes. Although there is some concern about its strong competitive and predatory ability, it is difficult to find hard evidence of species displacement or ecosystem disruption.

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, Ameiurus nebulosus Lesueur, 1819 was first documented as early as 1892 (21st January 1892) in a pond in Diekirch (Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 1892 cit. in Feltgen 1902: 101).

In 2005, two adults and 300 juveniles were caught in the Moselle river in Stadtbredimus while some 500 juveniles were observed the same year in the marina near Schwebsange. No other river in Luxembourg seems to be populated by the species.

There is no distribution map available because no data has been entered into the Recorder-Lux database so far (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2020).

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

C1 (1+1+2+2) (Ries et al. 2014: 199).

Harmonia+ protocol

Not assessed yet.

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

  • Administration de la gestion de l’eau, 2010. Les poissons au Luxembourg : Cartographie des poissons, lamproies et écrevisses du grand-duché de Luxembourg. 2e éd., 213 pp.
  • Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 2 (1892): 3.
  • Feltgen, E., 1902. Vademecum des Luxemburger Fischereiliebhabers. P. Worré-Mertens, Luxemburg. 148 S.
  • GBIF, 2019. Ameiurus nebulosus (Lesueur, 1819) in GBIF Secretariat (2019). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei accessed via GBIF.org on 2020-04-22.
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2020. in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [accessed 2020-04-22]
  • Ries, C., M. Pfeiffenschneider, Engel, E., J.-C. Heidt & M. Lauff, 2014. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of vertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 115: 195-201. [PDF 247 KB]

 Page content last updated on 2020-04-30. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-27.

Lemna minuta Humb., Bonpl. et Kunth

Posted onAuthorDr. Christian Ries

English Least duckweed Status LU: casual. 1st record: LU & ITW 2002.
Lëtzebuergesch Klinzeg Intelëns Status Eur.: established. 1st record: FR 1965.1
Français Lentille d’eau minuscule RA: ISEIA: B1, Watch List. Harmonia+: 0,24.
Deutsch Winzige Wasserlinse Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Least duckweed Wikipedia - Nederlands - Dwergkroos Deutsch | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Lemna minuta | CABI
Nederlands Dwergkroos Back to the list of neophytes

Brief description

Lemna minor & minuta PG

Mixed stand of Lemna minor (large leaves) and Lemna minuta (small leaves, more transparent).

Lemna minuta Humb., Bonpl. et Kunth is an aquatic plant that settles in shallow standing or slow-flowing waters, often in shaded conditions. Outbreaks of the species cause dense floating mats at the water surface that reduce light penetration and gas exchanges, causing the predominance of respiratory activities and the reduction in dissolved oxygen in water beneath the mats. As for native duckweed species, outbreaks are usually limited in time and space and are favoured by increased levels of water eutrophication that often cause the disappearance of submerged macrophytes. Waterfowl and Cyprinid fish are known to eat duckweeds to supplement their diet which may help to reduce outbreaks (Branquart et al. 2010).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Lemna minuta Humb., Bonpl. et Kunth in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2024-11-28.

Lemna minuta Humb., Bonpl. et Kunth was first documented in Mecheren near Remerschen (Municipality of Schengen) close to the bird watch station on 21 June 2015 by Guy Colling and on 29 June 2015 by A. Mesterházy (Krippel & Colling 2016: 39; MNHNL 2000-). It should be noted that the tiny water lens had already been reported for the Remerschen ponds in 2002 by Gérard Schmidt (in litt.), but no herbarium specimens had been taken at that time (Krippel & Colling 2016: 39).

This American aquatic monocotyledon, the smallest species of its kind (Synonym: Lemna minuscula Herter), was discovered in the wild here in 1983 (Lambinon & Verloove 2012: 976). Given its pervasive potential, it was listed on the alert list (Ries et al. 2013).

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

B1 (2+3+2+3) = Watch List. Reassessed 16 February 2017 by Yves Krippel and Christian Ries. Assessment before the appearance of the species in Luxembourg: B0 (2+3+2+3) = Alert List (Ries et al. 2013).

Harmonia+ protocol

Overall risk score 0,24 = (Overall Invasion score 0,67 x Overall Impact score 0,35) (Ries et al. 2020).

0,67Invasion
0,35Impact
0,24Risk

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

  • Branquart, E., I. Stiers, L. Triest, S. Vanderhoeven, W. Van Landuyt, F. Van Rossum & F. Verloove, 2010. Harmonia database: Lemna minuta Humb., Bonpl. et Kunth. Harmonia version 1.2, Belgian Forum on Invasive Species. URL: http://ias.biodiversity.be [accessed on 2019-10-11]
  • CABI, 2021. Lemna minuta. In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2021-03-04]
  • Krippel, Y. & G. Colling, 2016. Notes floristiques. Observations faites au Luxembourg (2014-2015). Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 118: 27-51. [PDF 1,33 MB]
  • Lambinon J. & F. Verloove, 2012. Nouvelle flore de la Belgique, du grand-duché de Luxembourg, du Nord de la France et des régions voisines. Sixième édition. Avec la collaboration de L. Delvosalle, B. Toussaint, D. Geerinck, I. Hoste, F. Van Rossum, B. Cornier, R. Schumacker, A. Vanderpoorten et H. Vannerom. Jardin botanique national de Belgique, Meise. CXXXIX + 1195 pp. ISBN : 9789072619884.
  • MNHNL, 2000-. Lemna minuta Humb., Bonpl. et Kunth in Recorder-Lux, database on the natural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-10-11]
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2019. Lemna minuta Humb., Bonpl. et Kunth in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-10-11]
  • Oly, M., 2022. Kartierung invasiver gebietsfremder Wasserpflanzen im Großherzotum Luxemburg, Untersuchungen zur Verbreitung von invasiven gebietsfremden Wasserpflanzen in einer beispielhaften Auswahl an Stillgewässern, Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg. 117 pp. 
  • Ries, C. & Y. Krippel, 2021. First records of 56 invasive alien vascular plants in Luxembourg. Bulletin de la Société des naturalistes luxembourgeois 123: 115-127. [PDF 241 KB]
  • Ries, C., Y. Krippel & M. Pfeiffenschneider, 2020. Risk assessment after the Harmonia+ protocol of invasive alien vascular plant species in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 122: 197-205. [PDF 132 KB]
  • Ries, C., Y. Krippel, M. Pfeiffenschneider & S. Schneider, 2013. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of non-native vascular plant species in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 114: 15-21. [PDF 652 KB]

 Page content last updated on 2023-08-18. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-19.

  1. Cf. CABI 2021.[↩]

Cervus nippon Temminck, 1838

Posted onAuthorDr. Christian Ries

English Sika deer Status LU: casual. 1st record: 2012.
Lëtzebuergesch Sikahirsch Status Eur.: established.
Français Cerf Sika RA: ISEIA: B1, Watch List. Harmonia+: n/a.
Deutsch Sikahirsch Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Sika deer Wikipedia - Français - Cerf Sika Wikipedia - Deutsch - Sikahirsch Wikipedia - Nederlands - Sikahert | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Cervus nippon | CABI
Nederlands Sikahert Back to the list of vertebrates

Brief description

Männlicher und weiblicher Sikahirsch Wildpark Klein-Auheim Juni 2012

Sika deer on 26 June 2012 in the game park Alte Fasanerie in Klein-Auheim (Hesse, Germany)

Cervus nippon Temminck, 1838 is found in dense woodland and scrub, including the thicket stages of coniferous forests and adjacent open ground. The population of the species is increasing and expanding in several European countries. Sika can build up higher densities than red dear and can cause great environmental and economic damage to forests and wetlands. Hybrids with the native congeneric red deer are fertile, and further hybridisation or back-crossing to either parental type is rapidly threatening the genetic integrity of the native species. Sika are often reported to be better competitors than native deer species (e.g. roe deer) (Branquart et al. 2013).

The species can easily be confused with the fallow deer Dama dama (Linnaeus, 1758), which the Sika deer resembles in its greetings and colouring. However, the antlers of the sika deer do not develop shovels as they do with the fallow deer as the animal ages (Schley & Herr 2019: 31).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Cervus nippon Temminck, 1838 in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2024-11-28.

The presence of Cervus nippon Temminck, 1838 in Luxembourg was first documented in December 2012 in the valley of the river Our near Stolzembourg, municipality of Putscheid (Cellina & Schley 2014; MNHNL 2000-). In 2013, three Sika deer were sighted near Bivels (Naturverwaltung 2014).

Supposedly the Sika deer migrated to north-eastern parts of the country after escaping from a deer park in Gemünd (Germany). In order to avoid hybridisation with red deer (Cervus elaphus), an eradication of the individuals found in Luxembourg is recommended.

An identification sheet of the species has been published by the MECDD in French and German.

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

B1 (3+2+3+1) = Watch List (Ries et al. 2014: 199).

Harmonia+ protocol

Overall risk score 0,27 = (Overall Invasion score 0,51 x Overall Impact score 0,56) (evaluated by Sandra Cellina, Jan Herr and Manou Pfeiffenschneider).

0,51Invasion
0,56Impact
0,27Risk

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

  • Branquart, E., A. Licoppe, G. Motte, V. Schockert & J. Stuyck, 2013. Harmonia database: Cervus nippon Temminck, 1838. Harmonia version 1.2, Belgian Forum on Invasive Species. URL: http://ias.biodiversity.be [accessed on 2019-10-24]
  • CABI, 2009. Cervus nippon Temminck, 1838 [original text by Rory Putman]. In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2020-02-05]
  • Cellina, S. & L. Schley, 2014. Premières observations du cerf sika (Cervus nippon) au Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 115: 193-194. [PDF 100 KB]
  • MNHNL, 2000-. Cervus nippon Temminck, 1838 in Recorder-Lux, database on the natural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-10-24]
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2019. Cervus nippon Temminck, 1838 in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-10-24]
  • Naturverwaltung , 2014. Bulletin technique de l’Administration de la nature et des forêts en matière de gestion de la faune sauvage et de chasse, numéro 3 (2014), 72 pp [http://www.environnement.public.lu/chasse/publications/bulletintechnique3/index.html].
  • Pir, J.B. & L. Schley, 2015. Développement des connaissances sur la répartition et l’écologie des mammifères au Luxembourg entre 1990 et 2015. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 116: 437-455.
  • Ries, C., M. Pfeiffenschneider, Engel, E., J.-C. Heidt & M. Lauff, 2014. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of vertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 115: 195-201. [PDF 247 KB]
  • Schley, L. & J. Herr, 2019. Säugetiere Luxemburgs. Hrsg.: natur&ëmwelt a.s.b.l., Ministère du développement durable et des infrastructures, Administration de la nature et des forêts. 219 S. ISBN 978-2-9199511-0-9 [French edition: Les mammifères du Luxembourg, ISBN 978-2-9199511-2-3]

 Page content last updated on 2024-03-11. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-27.

Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Posted onAuthorDr. Christian Ries

English Canada goose Status LU: established. 1st record: 1980.
Lëtzebuergesch Kanadagäns1 Status Eur.: established.
Français Bernache du Canada RA: ISEIA: B3, Watch List. Harmonia+: n/a.
Deutsch Kanadagans Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Canada goose Wikipedia - Français - Bernache du Canada Wikipedia - Deutsch - Kanadagans Wikipedia - Nederlands - Grote Canadese gans | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Branta canadensis | CABI
Nederlands Grote Canadese gans Back to the list of vertebrates

Brief description

Canada goose on Seedskadee NWR (27826185489)Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758) most often breed along small meso- to eutrophic ponds near open habitats with short grass. They are especially common in man-made habitats (parks, urban and agricultural areas) but are also known to colonise natural wetlands and coastal areas. The Canada goose is primarily a grazer and feeds mainly on grasses and aquatic plants. The species often exhibits direct aggression to other bird species through strong territorial behavior. High goose densities damage wetland habitats by overgrazing, fouling and trampling (Anselin et al. 2012).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Branta canadensis L. in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2024-11-28.

Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758) was first reported by Eugène Conrad on 19th April 1980 in the area of Stolzembourg, municipality of Putscheid (Konter et al. 2009). The first documented breeding in Luxembourg dates from 2002 from the nature conservation reserve Cornely’s Millen, near Troisvierges in the far north of the country (Bastian 2016: 6). The first successful breeding attempt was documented in 2002. Meanwhile the species breeds regularly in Luxembourg with some 10 to 15 breeding couples, especially on the Moselle river and in the Oesling area (Lorgé & Melchior 2015). Today the Canada goose is less widespread in Luxembourg than the Egyptian goose. A recent survey estimates the actual breeding population of the Canada goose to a total of 18 breeding couples (Bastian 2016: 13). Problems caused by Canada geese were reported in 2016 by several local authorities to the Department of Environment of MDDI, concerning several playgrounds, promenades and open air swimming pools in the Moselle area, and also from problems in a vineyard in the Schengen area.

An identification sheet of the species has been published by the MECDD in French and German.

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

B3 (3+3+2+2) = Watch List. Assessment update on 15 May 2018 by Patrick Lorgé, Christian Ries & Manou Pfeiffenscheider. First assessment: A1 (3+3+3+3) = Black List (Ries et al. 2014: 199). The adverse impacts on native species and ecosystem functions were overestimated by the first assessment.

Harmonia+ protocol

Not assessed yet.

Worldwide distribution

Fact sheet

PDF fact sheet of the Nature and Forestry Administration: FR | DE

Bibliography

  • Anders, C., 2017. Erfassung der Bestände von Kanadagans (Branta canadensis) und Nilgans (Alopochen aegyptiaca) im Jahr 2016 im Großherzogtum Luxemburg. Regulus Wissenschaftliche Berichte 32: 12-19.
  • Anselin, A., E. Branquart, K. Devos, J.-Y. Paquet, D. Strubbe, D. Vangeluwe & A. Weiserbs, 2012. Harmonia database: Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758). Harmonia version 1.2, Belgian Forum on Invasive Species. URL: http://ias.biodiversity.be [accessed 2020-04-22]
  • Bastian, M., 2016. Kanadagans (Branta canadensis) und Nilgans (Alopochen aegyptiaca) in Luxemburg. Bericht zur Erfassung der Kanadagans und der Nilgans im Jahr 2016 zur Untersuchung der Verbreitung, der Bestände sowie der Bestandsentwicklung im Großherzogtum Luxemburg. Centrale ornithologique Luxembourg, natur&ëmwelt a.s.b.l., Kockelscheuer. 21 p.
  • CABI, 2019. Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758). In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2020-04-22]
  • Konter, A., 2015. Die weitere Entwicklung der Wasservogelwelt an der Sauer unterhalb von Steinheim in den Jahren 2012-2014. Regulus Wissenschaftliche Berichte 30: 1-34.
  • Konter, A., 2016. Die Kanadagans Branta canadensis auf der Sauer unterhalb von Steinheim: Aufkommen, aggressives Verhalten und Bruten nach der Renaturierung des Gebiets. Regulus Wissenschaftliche Berichte 31: 23-27.
  • Konter, A., 2021. Beobachtung einer Auseinandersetzung zwischen zwei Höckerschwänen Cygnus olor und einer Kanadagansfamilie Branta canadensis. Regulus Wissenschaftliche Berichte 36: 75-79.
  • Konter, A. & P. Lorgé, 2009. Vorkommen und Brut von Kanada- Branta canadensis (Linné 1758) und Nilgans Alopochen aegyptiacus (Linné 1766) in Luxemburg. Regulus wissenschaftliche Berichte 24: 49–54.
  • Lorgé, P. & E. Melchior, 2015. Vögel Luxemburgs, natur&emwelt, ISBN: 978-2-919920-01-3, 9. Ausgabe, 273 pp.
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2020. Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758) in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [accessed 2020-04-22]
  • Ries, C., M. Pfeiffenschneider, Engel, E., J.-C. Heidt & M. Lauff, 2014. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of vertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 115: 195-201. [PDF 247 KB]
  • Weiss, J., 2015. Liste der Luxemburger Vogelnamen. Regulus Wissenschaftliche Berichte 29 (2014): 69-79. [PDF 1.1 MB]

 Page content last updated on 2023-08-17. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-27.

  1. Cf. Weiss 2015: 73.[↩]

Alopochen aegyptiaca (Linnaeus, 1766)

Posted onAuthorDr. Christian Ries

English Egyptian goose Status LU: established.
Lëtzebuergesch Nilgäns1 Status Eur.: established. IAS of EU concern (2017).
Français Ouette d’Égypte RA: ISEIA: B3, Watch List. Harmonia+: n/a.
Deutsch Nilgans Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Egyptian goose Wikipedia - Lëtzebuergesch - Nilgäns Wikipedia - Français - Ouette d'Égypte Wikipedia - Deutsch - Nilgans Wikipedia - Nederlands - Nijlgans | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Alopochen aegyptiaca | CABI
Nederlands Nijlgans Back to the list of vertebrates

Brief description

Adult-and-egyptian-geese-chicksAlopochen aegyptiaca (Linnaeus, 1766) is found in a diversity of wetlands, usually supplied with a belt of trees or shrubs. The species seems to be in strong expansion, Belgium is one example. During the nesting period, it develops aggressive behaviour leading to nest usurpation and decrease of offspring number in several bird species (see also Konter 2015), namely herons and raptors. Post-breeding flocks are responsible for overgrazing and for the alteration of banks and quality of water bodies (Anselin et al. 2010).

IAS of Union concern

In 2017,  the Egyptian goose was added to the list of invasive alien species of Union concern (Anonymous 2017) which implies that member states shall take all necessary steps to prevent it’s unintentional introduction or spread.

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Alopochen aegyptiaca L. in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2024-11-28.

Alopochen aegyptiaca (Linnaeus, 1766) was first documented by R. Gloden in late December 1984 on the Moselle in Bech-Kleinmacher, municipality of Schengen (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2020). The first successful breeding attempt took place in 2007 in the nature conservation area, Haff Réimech, near Remerschen (Bastian 2016: 7). Some 20 to 30 breeding couples can now be observed every year. Outside of the breeding season, the species can be seen in large numbers on rivers or stagnant waters (Lorgé & Melchior 2015).

Today the species is widespread in the country. 

An identification sheet of the species has been published by the MECDD in French and German.

Management

In an answer to a parliamentary question (Dieschbourg 2020), Environment Minister Carole Dieschbourg explained on 25 August 2020 how Luxembourg intends to tackle the birds. Instead of hunting, the eggs are to be sterilised so that the Egyptian geese can continue their breeding habits, but nothing hatches from the clutch. This is to be done by officials from the Nature and Forestry Administration, who have a lot of manpower – the eggs must be perforated or rubbed with paraffin.

Action plan

The Luxembourg management plan was published in the spring, was then open to public comment and will now be presented in autumn 2020. Hunting of the Nile geese will therefore not be allowed in Luxembourg (Adami 2020). In September 2020, Radio 100,7 reported about the management measures planed by the government (Hill 2020).

→ Finalised Action Plan for Alopochen aegyptiacus (De Sousa 2020)

The public debate on Egyptian goose in Luxembourg

Parliamentary questions

  • 2020-07-14: Question écrite n°2536 [PDF]. Sujet : Propagation de l’ouette d’Égypte. Auteur : Monsieur Gusty Graas, Député. Destinataire et auteur de la réponse : Madame Carole Dieschbourg, Ministre de l’Environnement, du Climat et du Développement durable [PDF].

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

B3 (3+3+2+1) = Watch List (Ries et al. 2014: 199). Confirmed by new assessment on 15 May 2018 by Patrick Lorgé, Christian Ries & Manou Pfeiffenscheider.

Harmonia+ protocol

Not assessed yet.

Worldwide distribution

Fact sheet

PDF fact sheet of the Nature and Forestry Administration: FR | DE

Bibliography

  • Adami, J., 2020. Invasive Wasservögel: Kampf gegen die Nilgänse. Woxx Nr. 1595: 3 (28/08/2020). Also published online.
  • Anders, C., 2017. Erfassung der Bestände von Kanadagans (Branta canadensis) und Nilgans (Alopochen aegyptiaca) im Jahr 2016 im Großherzogtum Luxemburg. Regulus Wissenschaftliche Berichte 32: 12-19.
  • Anonymous, 2017. Commission implementing regulation (EU) 2017/1263 of 12 July 2017 updating the list of invasive alien species of Union concern established by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1141 pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Official Journal of the European Union L 182: 37-39 (13.7.2017).
  • Anselin, A., E. Branquart, K. Devos, J.-Y. Paquet, D. Strubbe, D. Vangeluwe & A. Weiserbs, 2010. Harmonia database: Alopochen aegyptiaca (Linnaeus, 1766). Harmonia version 1.2, Belgian Forum on Invasive Species. URL: http://ias.biodiversity.be [accessed 2020-04-22]
  • Bastian, M., 2016. Kanadagans (Branta canadensis) und Nilgans (Alopochen aegyptiaca) in Luxemburg. Bericht zur Erfassung der Kanadagans und der Nilgans im Jahr 2016 zur Untersuchung der Verbreitung, der Bestände sowie der Bestandsentwicklung im Großherzogtum Luxemburg. Centrale ornithologique Luxembourg, natur&ëmwelt a.s.b.l., Kockelscheuer. 21 p.
  • Biver, G., 2013. Waterbird count – recensement hivernal des oiseaux d’eau 2009-2012. Regulus Wissenschaftliche Berichte 28: 43-58.
  • CABI, 2019. Alopochen aegyptiaca (Linnaeus, 1766). In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2020-04-22]
  • De Sousa, Tiago, 2020. Plan d’action pour espèces exotiques envahissantes au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg: l’Ouette d’Égypte, Alopochen aegyptiacus (Linnaeus, 1766). Version 2020-09-04. Administration de la nature et des forêts, Luxembourg. 23 pp.
  • Dieschbourg, C., 2020. Réponse de la Ministre de l’Environnement, du Climat et du Développement durable à question n°2536 de Monsieur Gusty Graas concernant la propagation de l’ouette d’Égypte. [chd.lu]
  • Graas, G., 2020. Question n°2536 de Monsieur Gusty Graas concernant la propagation de l’ouette d’Égypte. [chd.lu]
  • Hill, C., 2020. D’lëtzebuergesch Äntwert op den internationalen Nilgäns-Problem. Radio 100,7: 2020-09-22 – 07:20. URL: https://www.100komma7.lu/program/episode/316652/202009220720-202009220725
  • Konter, A., 2015. Die weitere Entwicklung der Wasservogelwelt an der Sauer unterhalb von Steinheim in den Jahren 2012-2014. Regulus Wissenschaftliche Berichte 30: 1-34.
  • Konter, A., 2021. Zum Brutgeschäft der Nilgänse Alopochen aegyptiaca in Luxemburg. Regulus Wissenschaftliche Berichte 36: 43-58.
  • Konter, A. & P. Lorgé, 2009. Vorkommen und Brut von Kanada- Branta canadensis (Linné 1758) und Nilgans Alopochen aegyptiacus (Linné 1766) in Luxemburg. Regulus wissenschaftliche Berichte 24: 49–54.
  • Lorgé, P. & E. Melchior, 2015. Vögel Luxemburgs, natur&emwelt, ISBN: 978-2-919920-01-3, 9. Ausgabe, 273 pp.
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2020. Alopochen aegyptiaca (Linnaeus, 1766) in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [accessed 2020-04-22]
  • Ries, C., M. Pfeiffenschneider, Engel, E., J.-C. Heidt & M. Lauff, 2014. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of vertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 115: 195-201. [PDF 247 KB]
  • Weiss, J., 2015. Liste der Luxemburger Vogelnamen. Regulus Wissenschaftliche Berichte 29 (2014): 69-79. [PDF 1.1 MB]

 Page content last updated on 2023-08-17. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-27.

  1. Cf. Weiss 2015: 73.[↩]

Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle

Posted onAuthorDr. Christian Ries

English Tree of heaven Status LU: established. 1st record: LU <1875, ITW <2013.
Lëtzebuergesch Himmelsbam Status Eur.: established. 1st record: HU 1740s.  IAS of EU concern (2019).
Français Ailante glanduleux RA: ISEIA: C1. Harmonia+: 0,42.
Deutsch Götterbaum Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Tree-of-heaven Wikipedia - Français - Ailante glanduleux Wikipedia - Deutsch - Götterbaum Wikipedia - Nederlands - Hemelboom Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Ailanthus altissima | CABI
Nederlands Hemelboom Back to the list of neophytes

Brief description

Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle is a fast-growing, light-demanding and thermophilic pioneer tree species. It grows best on nutrient-rich soils and is very tolerant to dryness and air pollution. It is mostly found in waste and disturbed areas, but can also invade different kinds of forest ecosystems, riparian areas, rock outcrops and semi-natural grasslands. Winged seeds are easily dispersed by wind and water over distances exceeding several hundreds of metres (Branquart et al. 2017).

Ailanthus altissima successfully displace native vegetation due to its rapid growth and root suckering. It produces allergenic toxins in bark and leaves. As these accumulate in the soil, they inhibit the growth of other plants (allelopathic interactions), favour the formation of monospecific stands and inhibit vegetation succession. Ailanthus also increases soil N content and pH. Ailanthus can reduce soil water availability in case of severe infestation. It may damage roads and other infrastructures due to strong and rapid root development (Branquart et al. 2017). The root system is aggressive enough to cause damage to sewers and foundations (GISD 2019).

Photo gallery

Alley of Alianthus altissima, Porte de France, Belval, Esch-sur-Alzette. Photos by Yan Steil, 23rd July 2014.

Ailanthus-altissima_Belval_2014-07-23_01
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Ailanthus-altissima_Belval_2014-07-23_04
Ailanthus-altissima_Belval_2014-07-23_05
Ailanthus-altissima_Belval_2014-07-23_06
Ailanthus-altissima_Belval_2014-07-23_07
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Ailanthus-altissima_Belval_2014-07-23_09
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Ailanthus-altissima_Belval_2014-07-23_11

IAS of Union concern

In 2019, Ailanthus altissima was added to the list of invasive alien species of Union concern (Anonymous 2019) which implies that member states shall take all necessary steps to prevent it’s unintentional introduction or spread.

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2024-11-28.

The oldest reference to Ailanthus altissima in Luxembourg is found in the flora of Krombach (1875: 108) who lists it as a cultivated species. To mention an old example, Jean Feltgen (1833-1904) included a specimen from a garden in Diekirch in his herbarium, unfortunately without mentioning a date (Specimen № 15467, MNHNL 2000-). It can still be considered the first documented record of the species before 1905, within Jean Feltgen’s lifetime.

The first documentation of the tree of Heaven in the wild dates from 2013, when Jerry Grün reports a grown specimen in a forest edge near Elvange (Ries & Krippel 2021). An earlier report on 13 July 1993 by Léopold Reichling in the Pfaffenthal district in Luxembourg City could not be verified as in the wild as it might have been part of the plantations in the gardens of the Hospice du Pfaffenthal (Obs. key: LUXNATFUND431045, MNHNL 2000-).

According to Lambinon & Verloove (2012: 463) the species is quite rare in urban areas (AR) and very rare in rural areas in the territory of the flora.

Ailanthus altissima is found in several parks in the country, including Tony Neuman Park (Hollman & Schroeder 1997: 22) and municipal park in Luxembourg City.

For two decades the species did not appear to have spread to the wild. It is only in recent years that the species was planted in several urban areas and appeared in the wild on sandstone cliffs in Luxembourg City (cf. also Krippel et al. 2020: 32).

In the median strip of Highway A1 near the port of Mertert. Photo: © Yves Krippel, 20200907,

In the median strip of Highway A1 near the port of Mertert. Photo: © Yves Krippel, 20200907,

In 2020, the salt-tolerant Ailanthus altissima was detected for the first time in a motorway median strip (A1 motorway near the port of Mertert, Yves Krippel, 2020-09-07, iNaturalist).

Considering the recent expansion of the species in Luxembourg and its probable future increased spread due to climate change, and to avoid major problems urban areas experience with the tree of Heaven as a weed across Europe, Ailanthus should not be planted any more as an ornamental tree and existing populations should be eradicated.

An identification sheet of the species has been published by the MECDD in French and German.

Ailanthus as ornamental tree in urban areas

ailanthus-altissima_belval_2014-07-23_11_small

Alley of Alianthus altissima, Porte de France, Belval, Esch-sur-Alzette. Photo: Yan Steil, 23.07.2014.

  • On 23rd July 2014 a complete alley of Ailanthus altissima was discovered in the street Porte de France in Belval / Esch-sur-Alzette. It was recently planted in the course of the regeneration of the brownfield site into a large scientific and cultural centre, including the science faculty of the University of Luxembourg (Steil 2014, pers. comm.). Based on sattelite photos the alley counts more than 70 individuals.
  • A group of Ailanthus altissima trees was recently planted behind the Olympic swimming pool in the Kirchberg disctrict of Luxembourg City by the Fonds du Kirchberg. Seedlings have already started to spread on this site (Helminger 2018, pers. comm.).
  • A row of 9 Ailanthus altissima was planted before 2008 along a parking area behind the church of Walferdange (Welter et al. 2008: 81; map).
  • A single tree is present in the section of the municipal park situated between Avenue de la Porte-Neuve and Avenue Émile-Reuter in Luxembourg City (on the side of the Avenue de la Porte-Neuve in line with two trees of Corylus colurna. Two single trees can be found in the Rue du Rollingergrund, one in front of the house n°294 and another next to the residence on n°306 (Welter et al. 2008: 81).
  • A single old tree with several saplings and a single younger grown-up tree were observed on 10th June 2018 in the municipal park of Diekirch situated along the river Sûre.
  • A group of 4 Ailanthus altissima trees grow in a roundabout on the N6 road north of Mersch and several seedlings / young plants have been found in the commercial zone east of the roundabout (Yves Krippel, pers. comm. 2020-10-27).

In a few decades, with climate change helping, Ailanthus might grow in many pavement rinds, flowerbeds and vague grounds all over these sites and possibly into the wild in adjacent areas, as illustrated in the following example from planted tree in a roundabout north of Mersch:

Ailanthus-altissima-YK-Mersch-N6-a
Ailanthus-altissima-YK-Mersch-N6-b
Ailanthus-altissima-YK-Mersch-N6-c

Ailanthus in the wild

In 2018, three populations of Ailanthus altissima were sighted in the wild in Luxembourg City:

  • on the edge of the cliff along the railway to Wasserbillig between the Plateau du Rham and the INS. As part of a site visit on 28/11/2019 with representatives of the Nature and Forestry Administration, Public Buildings and the MNHNL, it was decided that the management of this site will take place during winter 2019-2020 and that management should be continued until the site no longer represents a danger to the railway line below.
  • on the edge of the Plateau du Rham southeast of the former military canteen;
  • on the sandstone cliffs above n°11 Bisserweg (Grund district, Luxembourg City).
On the sandstone cliffs above n°11 Bisserweg (Grund district, Luxembourg City). Photo: C. Ries, 23 May 2018.
On the edge of the Plateau du Rham southeast of the former military canteen (Grund district, Luxembourg City). Photo: C. Ries, 22 August 2018.
On the edge of the Plateau du Rham southeast of the former military canteen (Grund district, Luxembourg City). Photo: C. Ries, 22 August 2018.

Management

A recent study in Berlin concludes that urban management strategies concerning Ailanthus would gain support from citizens when combining multiple approaches (Kowarik et al. 2021): (i) to control the species in case of realized negative impacts; (ii) to prevent the invasion of the species in areas of conservation concern; and (iii) to develop novel approaches of integrating wild Ailanthus trees into urban green spaces. These insights could support management measures that need to be established due to the EU-Regulation on Invasive Alien Species.

Action plan

The action plan dedicated to the tree of heaven, designed to limit the spread and minimise its in Luxembourg, was drafted in 2020 (Pfeiffenschneider & Hoppe 2020) and submitted for a 60 days lasting public consultation on 9 September 2020. It clearly postulates that, if its population continues to increase, this species is likely to cause ecological and economic damage.

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

C1 (1+1+1+1) (Ries et al. 2013: 18).

Harmonia+ protocol

Overall risk score 0,42 = (Overall Invasion score 0,74 x Overall Impact score 0,57) (Ries et al. 2020).

0,74Invasion
0,57Impact
0,42Risk

Worldwide distribution

CABI 2014: https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/3889#toDistributionMaps

Bibliography

  • Anonymous, 2019. Commission implementing regulation (EU) 2019/1262 of 25 July 2019 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1141 to update the list of invasive alien species of Union concern. Official Journal of the European Union L 199/1-2 (26.7.2019).
  • Branquart, E., S. Vanderhoeven, W. Van Landuyt, F. Van Rossum & F. Verloove, 2017. Harmonia database: Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle. Harmonia version 1.2, Belgian Forum on Invasive Species. URL: http://ias.biodiversity.be [accessed on 2019-10-23]
  • CABI, 2014. Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle [original text by Soraya Constán Nava]. In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2019-11-26]
  • GISD, 2019. Species profile: Ailanthus altissima in the Global Invasive Species Database. URL: http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/speciesname/Ailanthus+altissima [accessed 2019-11-28]
  • Hollman, A. & M. Schroeder, 1997. Parc Tony Neuman (Joyaux botanique au centre de la ville de Luxembourg, réalisé à partir de 1948 par Me Tony Neuman, notaire, Henri Luja, architecte-urbaniste, et Alphonse Hollman, jardinier en chef). AAT-Info 53, supplément. Éd. AAT – Garten und Teichfreunde Luxemburgs. Imprimerie Saint-Paul, Luxembourg. 64 pp.
  • Kowarik I., T.M. Straka, M. Lehmann, R. Studnitzky & L.K. Fischer, 2021. Between approval and disapproval: Citizens’ views on the invasive tree Ailanthus altissima and its management. NeoBiota 66: 1–30. https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.66.63460
  • Krippel, Y., T. Helminger & G. Colling, 2020. Notes floristiques. Observations faites au Luxembourg (2018-2019). Bulletin Soc. Nat. luxemb. 122 : 29-55. [PDF 132 KB]
  • Krombach, J.-H.-G., 1875. Flore du grand-duché de Luxembourg. Plantes phanérogames. 564 p. Luxembourg, Imprimerie Joris.
  • Lambinon J. & F. Verloove, 2012. Nouvelle flore de la Belgique, du grand-duché de Luxembourg, du Nord de la France et des régions voisines. Sixième édition. Avec la collaboration de L. Delvosalle, B. Toussaint, D. Geerinck, I. Hoste, F. Van Rossum, B. Cornier, R. Schumacker, A. Vanderpoorten et H. Vannerom. Jardin botanique national de Belgique, Meise. CXXXIX + 1195 pp. ISBN : 9789072619884.
  • MNHNL, 2000-. Ailanthus altissima in Recorder-Lux, database on the natural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2018-01-08]
  • Pfeiffenschneider, M. & Hoppe, F., 2020. Plan d’action pour espèces exotiques envahissantes au grand-duché de Luxembourg : Faux-vernis du Japon, Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle. Version 3.0 – 2020/09/20. Administration de la nature et des forêts, Luxembourg. 19 pp.
  • Ries C. & Y. Krippel 2020. Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle – Distribution actuelle, recensement futur et mise en oeuvre des mesures d’éradication au grand-duché de Luxembourg. Rapport au Groupe de coordination sur les espèces exotiques envahissantes au Luxembourg (MECDD), Version 1.1 (2020-11-24). 9p.
  • Ries, C. & Y. Krippel, 2021. First records of 56 invasive alien vascular plants in Luxembourg. Bulletin de la Société des naturalistes luxembourgeois 123: 115-127. [PDF 241 KB]
  • Ries, C., Y. Krippel & M. Pfeiffenschneider, 2020. Risk assessment after the Harmonia+ protocol of invasive alien vascular plant species in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 122: 197-205. [PDF 132 KB]
  • Ries, C., Y. Krippel, M. Pfeiffenschneider & S. Schneider, 2013. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of non-native vascular plant species in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 114: 15-21. [PDF 652 KB]
  • Welter A., J.Turk & J. Trossen, 2008. Les arbres introduits au Luxembourg. Inventaire des essences arborescentes non indigènes de pleine terre présentes sur le territoire du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg. Ferrantia 53, Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg, ISSN 1682-5519, 111 pp.

 Page content last updated on 2023-08-17. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-12.