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Impacts of Zebra Mussels on Ecological Processes in Irish Lakes

Project personnel

Dr T.K. McCarthy (Project Leader), Dr Tara Higgins (Postdoc), Jon Grennan (PhD student)

BioChange is a major multi-institutional, EPA-funded research project on biodiversity in Ireland ( www.biochange.ie). Focusing on counties Clare and Galway, the aims of the BioChange project include developing fundamental biodiversity research and capacity building in taxonomic skills in Ireland and developing biodiversity indicators and biomonitoring tools to support national and local biodiversity policy.

Work Package 2 of BioChange focuses on the impact of non-native species on biodiversity, as well as strategies for their management and predictions of future invasions by alien species.

Ongoing research at the Zoology Department at NUI Galway examines the impact of perhaps the most notorious aquatic invasive species, the zebra mussel ( Dreissena polymorpha Pallas), on ecological processes in small lakes in Co. Clare and Galway. The aims of this study are to:

Assess direct and indirect impacts of zebra mussels on natural population of algae, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, native freshwater mussels ( Anodonta) and fish
To quantify the effects of zebra mussel infestation on the trophic status of Irish lakes in terms of water clarity, chlorophyll concentrations and nutrient cycling
Make predictions of future impacts and spread of zebra mussels in Ireland
Increase public awareness of problems associated with zebra mussels

Publications

Higgins T., Grennan J. and McCarthy T.K. 2008. Effects of recent zebra mussel invasion on water chemistry and phytoplankton production in a small Irish lake. Aquatic Invasions 3: 14-20. [pdf]

Conference presentations

Higgins, T., Grennan, J. and McCarthy, T.K. 2008. Zebra mussel-induced changes in phytoplankton community structure in a Co. Clare lake. 18 ^th Environ Colloquium, Dundalk Institute of Technology, 1-3 Feb. 2008. (Oral)

Grennan, J., Higgins, T. and McCarthy, T.K. 2008. Characterising the zebra mussel ( Dreissena polymorpha, Pallas) population in Lough Doon, Co. Clare. Environ 2008, Dundalk Institute of Technology, 1-3 Feb. 2008. (Poster) [pdf]

Higgins, T., Grennan, J. and McCarthy, T.K. 2007. Impacts of zebra mussel infestation on water quality and algal populations in small Western Irish lakes. The 30 ^th Congress of the International Association of Theoretical and Applied Limnology, Montréal, Canada, 12-18 August 2007. (Oral)

Grennan, J., Higgins, T. and McCarthy, T.K. 2007. A review of the distribution and ecological impacts of the zebra mussel ( Dreissena polymorpha) in Ireland. Invasive Molluscs Conference, St. Catherine’s College, University of Cambridge, 2 April 2007. The London Malacological Society. (Oral)

Higgins, T., Grennan, J. and McCarthy, T.K. 2007. Effects of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) on ecological processes in small Western Irish lakes. Invasive Molluscs Conference, St. Catherine’s College, University of Cambridge, 2 April 2007. The London Malacological Society. (Oral)

Relevant links:

www.alienspecies.ie
www.aquaticinvaders.org
www.biodiversityireland.ie
AQUATIC-ALIENS: A new Irish-based discussion forum for researchers interested in non-native aquatic species and their impacts on biodiversity (both freshwater and marine).

<-- Back to T.K. McCarthy's homepage

Zoology Department
National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland.
Phone: +353 (0)91 492323, Fax: +353 91 750526
E-mail: Zoology Department
This page was last updated Wednesday, March 26, 2008